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To strengthen the support network, a telephone service has also been provided in these multi-social services centres as an integral part of the programme to answer enquiries from elderly people and to provide peer support as well as to refer the elderly persons to appropriate welfare agencies where needed. In addition, mutual help groups and support networks are organised by service units of the Social Welfare Department and non-governmental organisations in their community support projects and concern visit programme to elderly persons living alone.
As a new initiative, the Social Welfare Department are taking the lead to co- ordinate with other government departments, non-governmental organisations and local groups in each district to mobilise community and volunteer support to reach out to vulnerable elderly persons. A list of elderly persons at risk will be compiled and volunteers will be identified to conduct regular visits to these elderly persons. The programme will be conducted under the planning and supervision of professional staff in the district offices of the Social Welfare Department and in multi-service centres. A sum of $17 million has been earmarked to conduct this project over the coming two
years.
The Hon Leung Yiu-chung has proposed the setting up of a Central Committee on the Elderly. My response to this is that we already have a comprehensive consultative machinery in place to advise Government on all aspects concerning the elderly: the Social Welfare Advisory Committee advises Government on welfare policies including those that concern the elderly; the Health and Medical Development Advisory Committee advises on health and medical policies while the Housing Authority takes care of public housing policies concerning the elderly. The Hospital Authority is responsible for the management of all public hospitals. It is in these four main areas that the vast majority of services for the elderly are provided. The Elderly Services Division of my Branch which co-ordinates policy matters concerning health, medical and welfare of the elderly will seek advice from these bodies when the need arises. In addition, the Council's own Panel on Welfare Services monitors and advises Government on matters relating to elderly services. An important on-going dialogue is also maintained with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and non- governmental organisations involved in the provision of elderly services. The existing consultative channels are therefore more than adequate to monitor the work of Government on all aspects of elderly services.
Ensuring those elderly people in need are properly provided for is, without a doubt, one of my heaviest and most challenging duties. But may I remind Hon Members that it is not solely the Government which has a heavy responsibility in this regard. In our society, it has traditionally been a key role of the family to ensure that elderly persons are cared for with the respect and dignity they deserve. I appeal to all members of our community not to neglect this role. Through the combination of these traditional values and the comprehensive services and financial support we provide for the elderly, I am confident we shall succeed in meeting our responsibilities towards them.
End