The outgoing chief executive of the Hospital Authority, Shane Solomon, hopes his successor will act on concerns raised by staff and the community, rather than just listen to their grievances. He also wants to see the long waiting time for hospital services shortened and better conditions for staff. The 54-year-old Australian will leave Hong Kong for Brisbane today after spending more than four years in the post. He was the first non-local and non-doctor to take up the post. Solomon said earlier that he was returning to his home country because his father-in-law is seriously ill and his wife needs his support. 'Since announcing my resignation I have been very surprised and gratified by the reactions I have had from people. I thought people would throw bananas at me for not staying around to do the job longer. But in fact they understand that family is important,' Solomon said yesterday as he held farewell parties with staff and the media at the authority headquarters in Kowloon City. 'So I learned a new dimension to Hong Kong. It is not just about work. Other things matter to people.' Solomon said he had made efforts to improve staff working conditions, especially for doctors who had sued the authority in court for shorter working hours and compensation time-off for working during holidays. The authority had earlier offered a compensation package for doctors working on statutory holidays and rest days. Pay differences among different sectors of doctors had also been addressed. 'The work hours become more reasonable and the relationship between management and doctors was rebuilt. The challenge for my successor is to continue the dialogue.' Solomon will start a new job as a consultant for financial advisory firm KPMG next week. 'From the bottom of my heart, I miss Hong Kong. I look forward to coming back,' he said. 'I won't be the chief executive of the Hospital Authority, I will be a tourist and will enjoy some time in Hong Kong as a tourist.'