XN000022-1986-07-11 — Page 7

FRIDAY, JULY 11, 1986

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BESIDES THE ROAD, THE PROJECT WOULD INCLUDE LIGHTING, EMERGENCY TELEPHONES AND TRAFFIC AIDS, SIMILAR TO THOSE ALREADY INSTALLED ON THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.

WORKS.

IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPING AND DRAINAGE

WOUL

THE WORK WOULD TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.

SITE FORMATION WORK IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR STARTED 10 YEARS AGO AND THE FIRST STAGE, COSTING

$485 MILLION, WAS OPENED IN JUNE, 1984. THE SECOND STAGE WAS BUILT IN TWO PHASES AT A TOTAL COST OF $260 MILLION AND WAS OPENED A YEAR AGO.

THE THIRD AND FINAL STAGE IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN THE LATE 1980'S.

OBJECTIONS TO THE LATEST PROPOSED PROJECT SHOULD BE SENT

TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT BY SEPTEMBER 9.

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CODE FOR PRIVATE HOMES FOR ELDERLY TO ENSURE STANDARDS

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A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) AT A MEETING THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.

THE AIM OF THE CODE IS TO PROVIDE OPERATORS OF THESE HOMES WITH SOME GUIDANCE ON THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF SERVICE.

THE MEETING WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT THE CODE OF PRACTICE MUST BE PRACTICABLE, AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE ADEQUATE PROVISIONS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF RESIDENTS.

THE COMMITTEE FELT THE CODE OF PRACTICE ISSUED FOR VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE WOULD BE A GOOD FIRST STEP IN SECURING ADEQUATE STANDARDS OF CARE. A REVIEW WOULD BE CARRIED OUT AFTER A YEAR TO DETERMINE WHETHER STRONGER MEASURES ARE REQUIRED.

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THE CODE WILL BE PUBLISHED IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH AT A LATER DATE, AND COPIES WILL BE SENT TO ALL IDENTIFIED OPERATORS OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.

STAFF FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE WITH THEIR LIAISON VISITS TO THE HOMES AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN TO THE OPERATORS THE DETAILS OF THE CODE.

THE SWAC ALSO ACCEPTED A PROPOSAL TO RECOVER SURPLUSES ACCUMULATED IN WELFARE AGENCIES' SUBVENTION RESERVE ACCOUNTS UP TO AND INCLUDING 1984-85 WHICH AMOUNTED TO OVER $38 MILLION.

/SWAC CONSIDERED