The Green Paper proposal for a voluntary contributory sickness, injury and death benefit scheme has attracted public comments from various sectors including both employers and employees. A group of employers have also proposed an alternative scheme to cover the same risks. Whilst the Government accepts that there is a demand for additional coverage for the risks arising out of sickness, injuries and death, it has not yet reached a conclusion on the best method of proceeding. In order not to delay publication of the White Paper, separate proposals on this matter will be put to Honourable Members for consideration.
Future Developments in Social Welfare Services
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Expansion and future developments in social welfare services will be concentrated in three main areas, that is rehabilitation services for the disabled, services for the elderly and personal social work among young people. The Government's plans for rehabilitation services are outlined in the 1977 White Paper "Integrating the Disabled into the Community: A United Effort". Proposals for other services are as follows:
(i) Services for the Elderly
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The Government's aim in expanding services for the elderly is to promote the well-being of the elderly through care in the community and by the community. To achieve this objective, the Government's strategy will be three-fold: firstly, to provide a range of community services and improved cash payments that will encourage families to continue to look after their elderly members or to enable old persons on their own to live independently, and in dignity, in the community for as long as possible; secondly, to provide residential institutional facilities for those who, for health or other reasons, can no longer live with their families or on their own; and thirdly, to promote a better understanding of the process of aging so as to enhance health care and the quality of life for old people.
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Paragraph 11 above outlines the social security improvements which specifically benefit old people. In respect of health care, it is intended that the expansion of geriatric services should fit in with the overall development of medical and health services for the general community, as recommended by the Medical Development Advisory Committee. Details of improved health services for the elderly are given in paragraphs 4.7 to 4. 13 of the draft White Paper. Briefly, the Government believes that expansion of the general community
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