XN000022-1980-10-07 — Page 7

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1980

AN UNOFFICIAL MEMBER, THE HON ROGER LOBO WILL INTRODUCE THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (VALIDATION) BILL 1980 FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING.

DURING THE MEETING, A NEWLY APPOINTED UNOFFICIAL COLLEAGUE, THE HON WILLIAM BROWN WILL BE SWORN IN.

SWD'S HOTLINE+ SERVICE ****

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S HOTLINE -- 3-432255 RECEIVED 343 CALLS SINCE IT WAS INTRODUCED LAST WEDNESDAY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) MOST CALLS WERE MADE AFTER OFFICE HOURS.

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HE SAID THE CALLS GENERALLY CONCERNED PROBLEMS IN FOUR AREAS STRAINED FAMILY RELATIONSHIP, CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOUR AND CHILD CARE, REHABILITATION SERVICES AND FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.

IN MOST CASES, THE CALLS WERE SATISFACTORILY DEALT WITH OVER THE TELEPHONE, BY WAY OF GIVING PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE ON FAMILY OR INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS, OR EXPLANATION OF WELFARE SERVICES, HE SAID.

IN CASES WHERE LONGER-TERM ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, HE SAID, CALLERS WERE REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT'S FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OR SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS IN THEIR DISTRICT FOR FOLLOW-UP ACTION.

THE HOTLINE, TO PROVIDE QUICK ASSISTANCE IN URGENT CASES AND FACILITATE PUBLIC ENQUIRIES ABOUT WELFARE SERVICES, OPERATES ON A 24-HOUR BASIS.

IT IS PHYSICALLY MANNED BETWEEN 9 AM AND 10 PM FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY, AND BETWEEN 1 PM AND 10 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.

ENQUIRIES AFTER 10 PM ARE MACHINE-RECORDED FOR FOLLOW-UP ACTION THE FOLLOWING MORNING.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID PEOPLE USING THE HOTLINE AFTER 10 PM SHOULD LEAVE THEIR NAME, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS.

SHOULD THERE BE OVERNIGHT CASES WHICH REQUIRE URGENT ATTENTION, A REPORT MAY BE MADE TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION, HE ADDED.

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