Question No. 5
REPLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE TO A QUESTION BY HON. HUI YIN-FAT IN THE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 1985
Question:
Sir,
In the light of the recent tragedy at a home for the aged in Causeway Bay, will Government consider enacting legislation setting out the basic minimum standards on safety, hygiene, accommodation and staff ratio and qualification governing the operation of private old age homes in Hong Kong?
The Social Welfare Advisory Committee discussed this
matter in September and advised that at present there is no
compelling reason to enact legislation to control private
homes for the elderly, although some form of control might
be necessary in the longer term to ensure adequate standards
of service, particularly in connection with safety and health.
The Social Welfare Department is now consulting other
government departments and will take into account experience
in other countries before making proposals on the most
suitable form of control.
2.
In the meantime the department will continue
to pay liaison visits to these homes to offer advice and
assistance to the operators and residents where necessary.
The department is now also preparing a code of practice
to provide guidance on how these homes should be run.
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