This paper examines the effectiveness of the collaboration between the university and the local hospital, particularly in the area of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). As a language teacher, it is always problematic to seek the possibilities working with the subject teachers in terms of the cost and time (Kenney & Bolitho, 1984). ESP teachers are struggling between language teaching and the knowledge of special subjects. Thus, it is essential to help language teachers become an effective ESP practitioner by reaching out to local industries. Teachers may use their language skills to help those who have professional knowledge but lack language skills which maybe of immediate needs at work. At the meanwhile, language teachers can be self-trained as an effective ESP practitioner by working with professionals. The project was initiated with a workplace English training program to improve the English language proficiency of the hospital nurses and administrative personnel. The study focuses on a need-based course design, tailor-made teaching materials and teacher's self-training. The findings drawn from the data obtained through the needs analysis and learners' perception questionnaires, interviews with the learners and the head of the training department were discussed. The results show that in general, the course has met the needs of the hospital and the nurses and administrative personnel, though there are some discrepancies between learners' needs and employer's expectation. The issues were raised and suggestions were made to offer significant implications for similar projects of industry-university collaboration.