Press Releases

Temporary quarters for health care staff

Two housing blocks have been turned into temporary quarters for health care staff including doctors, nurses and other health care workers who have been working long hours since the outbreak of atypical pneumonia, a spokesman for Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said today (April 15).

The two blocks are: Block 1 of King Hin Court (a newly completed Home Ownership Scheme project) at Hammer Hill Road near Diamond Hill and another block in Tin Yan Estate in Tin Shui Wai.

The spokesman noted that some 350 units would be available in King Hin Court while part of a block in Tin Yan Estate would be used to provide temporary accommodation for health care staff who opt to rest between shifts or after duty at these temporary quarters. These blocks are currently vacant and will not be occupied by other residents.

These units will be fitted with basic facilities including beds, television and air-conditioning.

"In view of the heavy demand for temporary accommodation among health care staff due to various reasons, the Government has been working hard to identify suitable buildings and fitting them with basic facilities to enable our exhausted health care staff to have a decent place, as an alternative to their home, to take a well-earned rest between shifts and after duty.

"I am sure the public would appreciate and are grateful to the efforts of our health care staff in fighting the disease. As a caring and understanding society, the provision of temporary accommodation for them to have a good rest is just the support we can render.

"These are the people who work tirelessly and unselfishly to help the patients who have contracted severe acute respiratory syndrome. They are healthy people and they are not carriers of the disease.

"I hope members of our community can fully understand and accommodate the need of these health care staff for a place to rest. Although they work in hospitals, they are people who have been trained in infection control measures. They will also be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected before they leave their workplace.

"The proposal has gained the full support of the Subsidised Housing Committee of the Housing Authority including its chairman and members," the spokesman said.

End/Tuesday, April 15, 2003
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