ENG-2001 — Page 250

SOCIAL WELFARE

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1 400 nursing home places. To increase the supply of subsidised residential care services, the Bought Place Scheme for private homes for the elders was introduced in 1989 and an Enhanced Bought Place Scheme launched in November 1998. By the end of 2001, 4 505 places were bought from private care homes. Admissions to subsidised residential care services are co-ordinated by the Residential Care Services Delivery System for the Elders.

The Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Ordinance, which provides legislative control over all residential care homes for the elders, came into full operation on June 1, 1996. All private homes for the elders were licensed by end- March 2001. By the end of the year, 535 valid licences were issued to private residential care homes for the elders with a total capacity of 41 047 places. In addition, 2 899 places are provided in self-financing homes operated by NGOs.

The SWD has launched a region-wide Opportunities for the Elderly Project from 1999 to 2003 to provide subsidies to community organisations to plan and implement programmes to promote a sense of worthiness among elders and community care for elders. In 2001, 318 programmes were implemented, with the approved grants amounting to $2.8 million. These programmes supplement the three-year Healthy Ageing Campaign launched by the Elderly Commission in September 2000.

As from 1999, the SWD has introduced competitive bidding in identifying providers of elderly services with the objective of securing quality and value for money services so as to benefit a greater number of elders. The first residential care home for elders was put out for competitive bidding in 2001. Services currently procured through this process include meal services, home care, enhanced home and community care services and residential care homes for the elders. The quality of service is governed by service specifications and contractual agreement, underpinned by vigorous monitoring by the department's Contract Management Unit.

Rehabilitation Services

Rehabilitation services are provided by government departments and NGOs with the objective of integrating people with disabilities into society and helping them to fully develop their capabilities. These services are co-ordinated by the Commissioner for Rehabilitation on the advice of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee.

Services for Children with Disabilities

At the end of the year, the NGOs provided 1 668 integrated programme places in ordinary child care centres, 1 269 special child care centre places (including 108 residential places) and 1 685 early education and training centre places for pre-school disabled children. For autistic children, an enhanced training programme with input from clinical psychologists was provided in special child care centres. In addition, there were 96 small group home places for school-age mentally handicapped children requiring residential service.

Services for Adults with Disabilities

With a view to promoting integration of people with disabilities into society, 1860 supported employment places were provided in 2001 for those who could manage to work in open settings with necessary counselling and support service. For those who were not yet ready to compete in the open job market, there were 7 135 sheltered workshop places to help develop their work skills. There were 3 623 day activity