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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1985

CONTROL OF HOMES FOR ELDERLY UNDER STUDY

聶亚录

MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TODAY ADVISED THAT WHILE THERE WERE NO COMPELLING REASONS TO IMPOSE IMMEDIATELY+ LEGISLATIVE CONTROL OVER PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY, SUCH CONTROL MIGHT BE NECESSARY IN THE LONG TERM. SUCH CONTROLS WOULD BE TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE STANDARD OF SERVICE, PARTICULARLY THE SAFETY AND HEALTH ASPECTS.

HOWEVER, MEMBERS FELT THAT INITIALLY, GUIDANCE SHOULD BE

GIVEN TO OPERATORS THROUGH A CODE OF PRACTICE.

THE COMMITTEE HAD CONSIDERED A SURVEY REPORT ON THESE PRIVATE HOMES, AND NOTED THAT IN GENERAL, EXISTING SERVICES GAVE NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

TO ENABLE FURTHER CONSIDERATION TO BE GIVEN TO THE MOST APPROPRIATE FORM OF LEGISLATIVE CONTROL, MEMBERS FELT THAT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHER COUNTRIES AND TO CONSULT OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

FOR THE PRESENT, THE COMMITTEE ADVISED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SHOULD CONTINUE TO PERFORM AN ADVISORY ROLE, AND TO PAY LIAISON VISITS TO THESE HOMES TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO THE OPERATORS AND RESIDENTS WHEN NECESSARY.

THE COMMITTEE ALSO ENDORSED AND COMMENTED ON A NUMBER OF PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SCHEMES AND TO THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES SCHEME AND THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND. IF THESE IMPROVEMENTS WERE ACCEPTED, THEY WOULD ALSO APPLY TO THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME.

THE VIEWS OF THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY THE GOVERNMENT WHEN DECIDING ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE VARIOUS SCHEMES.

ONE MAIL DELIVERY NEXT MONDAY ***

THERE WILL BE ONE MAIL DELIVERY ON SEPTEMBER 30 (MONDAY), WHICH IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).

THIRTY-NINE POST OFFICES INCLUDING THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON CENTRAL AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICES IN KOWLOON, AND TSUEN WING STREET, SHA TIN CENTRAL AND TAI PO POST OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 9 AM TO NOON THAT DAY.

DETAILS OF THE OTHER POST OFFICES WHICH WILL BE OPEN CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ANY POST OFFICE OR FROM THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU AT 5-231071 OR 5-231072.

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