XN000022-1993-11-03 — Page 25

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1993

RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY TO BE LICENSED

HABITUALLY

ANY PREMISES AT WHICH MORE THAN FIVE ELDERLY PERSONS ARE RECEIVED FOR CARE WILL COME UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) BILL IF IT IS PASSED INTO LAW.

IN OTHER WORDS, ALL SUBVENTED, NON-PROFIT-MAKING RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES WILL BE COVERED.

AND PRIVATE

WELFARE, MRS LICENSING

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THE CONTROL WOULD BE IN THE FORM OF A SYSTEM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.

CARE HOME OPERATE A

"IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE TO OPERATE A RESIDENTIAL WITHOUT A LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION, AND ΤΟ RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE CONDITIONS OF A LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION.

"ANY PERSON WHO PROVIDES FALSE INFORMATION IN AN APPLICATION,

OR OBSTRUCTS INSPECTION ALSO COMMITS AN OFFENCE," SHE ADDED.

UNDER THE BILL, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE MAY ISSUE OR RENEW A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION WHEREBY THE HOMES WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH CERTAIN BASIC REQUIREMENTS.

CERTIFICATE OF

THE DIRECTOR MAY ALSO IMPOSE CONDITIONS ON A EXEMPTION WHICH WILL BE REVOKED IF THE CONDITIONS ARE NOT FULFILLED WITHIN A SPECIFIED PERIOD.

AND

MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT TO ENSURE THE PROPER MANAGEMENT OPERATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES. THE BILL SPECIFIED REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE REGISTRATION OF HEALTH WORKERS, THE DUTIES OF OPERATORS, THE DUTIES OF HOME MANAGERS, SPACE AND STAFFING, LOCATION AND DESIGN, AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES.

"WE CONSIDER THAT THE STANDARDS TO BE IMPOSED ARE THE MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS AND WE EXPECT THAT MOST OF THE EXISTING HOMES WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE CONDITIONS IMPOSED UNDER

THE LAW, SAID MRS WONG.

PUT

"HOWEVER, SHOULD IT BE NECESSARY, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL IN PLACE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALL RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY CLOSURE OF SUBSTANDARD HOMES.

"THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME WILL BE EXPANDED FOR THIS PURPOSE," SHE SAID.

THE LEGISLATION WHEN ENACTED WILL PROHIBIT NEW HOMES WHICH CANNOT MEET THE LICENSING STANDARDS FROM ENTERING THE MARKET.

PROVISIONS FOR APPEALS, HOWEVER, ARE AVAILABLE UNDER THE DRAFT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) (APPEAL BOARD) REGULATION.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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