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Applications for health courses invited
Applications are now invited for the next round of health worker training courses organised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) in conjunction with three professional health care training institutes.
The three institutes are the College of Nursing Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Red Cross and the Hong Kong St John Ambulance Association. The first of a total of seven courses is scheduled to start on August 5.
"The courses are organised with an aim to meeting the demand for health care staff in residential care homes for the elderly as well as raising the professional standard of health workers," a spokesman for the department said today (Sunday).
SWD has provided training places for 560 health workers in 1995-96 and plans
to train 630 additional health workers in 1996-97.
"Under the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Regulation, all health workers are required, among other things, to complete training approved by the Director of Social Welfare before being qualified for registration.
"The registration fee will be increased from $150 to $164 with effect from May 31," the spokesman said.
Each training course, lasts for 11 weeks and covers 140 hours, is designed to equip trainees with the necessary knowledge and skills for a comprehensive understanding of health care for elderly persons.
The content of the course includes lectures on basic nursing skills for elderly persons, physiological and psychological development and common medical conditions of the elderly, basic skills in interpersonal relationship, communication and management of residential care homes for the elderly.
"Hong Kong residents who have completed Form 3 or equivalent and are competent to complete the training course can apply.
"Priority will be given to those who have two or more years of working experience in services for the elderly and those who have received medical, nursing, first aid or home nursing training," he said.
Copies of invitation have already been sent to elderly home operators, inviting them to recommend suitable candidates for the course. Posters of the training courses will also be put up at all public housing estates and group work units of SWD.