XN000022-1996-04-03 — Page 82

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(b)

(c)

(1)

(2)

(3)

As at 29 February 1996, there were still 38 residential care homes for the elderly (about 6% out of a total of 586) which had not yet applied to the Social Welfare Department for a licence or certificate of exemption. Of the 548 applications received, 182 (about 33%) had been received between December 1995 and February 1996. Because so many had been received in such a short space of time, more time was needed to process them.

In the course of processing the applications, it was found that some of the information and floor plans submitted by the residential care homes were not acceptable. Progress was delayed while operators were required to provide supplementary information and revised layout plans and to clarify parts of their applications.

A small number of residential care homes have structural, design and location problems which are impossible to overcome. Operators of such homes have been advised to reprovision their homes in alternative premises. More time is needed to allow for these reprovisioning plans to be carried out.

Taking the above into consideration, it was decided that section 6 should be brought into operation on 1 June 1996.

As at the end of March 1996, only about 10 of the total 586 residential care homes had not applied for licences or certificates of exemption. The assessment of applications is now progressing well and staff of the Licensing Office are confident that all applications will be processed in time before 1 June 1996.

Licences are issued to residential care homes which are able to comply with the statutory requirements while certificates of exemption may be granted to residential care homes already in operation before 1 April 1995 (i.e. before the commencement date of the Ordinance) which are unable to comply fully with the requirements so that they can make necessary improvements during the exemption period.

For the purpose of ensuring that residential care homes are operated in accordance with the requirements, the maximum validity period of a licence or certificate of exemption may not exceed 36 months and residential care homes need to apply for renewal of the licence or certificate upon its expiry.