Press Releases
EC discusses measures to increase the supply of quality residential care places in private sector
The following is issued on behalf of the Elderly Commission:
The Elderly Commission met today (January 24) to discuss measures aimed at increasing the supply of quality residential care places with more private sector participation.
The Commission noted that the development of quality and affordable residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) in the private sector has been hindered by the shortage of suitable premises. The Government has now proposed a scheme to encourage private developers to incorporate RCHEs in their new private developments. Under the scheme, purpose-built RCHE premises in new private developments under lease modification, land exchange and private treaty grant would be exempted from calculation of gross floor area and assessment of premium. In return, the developer would construct the RCHE premises with basic provisions such as fire service installation, drainage and water supply connections, etc. These RCHE premises will become the properties of the developers for the exclusive use of RCHEs only. The RCHEs are envisaged to be operated on a commercial basis and there will be safeguards to ensure the premises would be used for RCHE purpose within a reasonable timeframe and prevent abuse.
The Commission welcomed the proposed scheme, which is an initiative aimed at increasing the overall supply of quality residential care places in the market through provision of more purpose-built RCHE premises.
Members of the Commission also welcomed a number of measures launched by the Government to further improve the service standards of private RCHEs �
(a) Launching of a multi-skilled training curriculum which would serve as the training prototype for care staff in elderly services and the provision of over 2,000 training places under the new curriculum in the next four years;
(b) Enhancing the first aid standard of RCHEs by the provision of over 1,000 first aid certificate training places between 2000-01 and 2002-03, and providing an additional 684 training places for health workers in 2002-03;
(c) Listing of useful information on RCHEs on Social Welfare Department (SWD)�s homepage at (http://www.info.gov.hk/swd) and the publication of a Directory of RCHEs and Guidance Notes on tips in selecting suitable RCHEs to assist elders and their families to make informed choices;
(d) Issuing a Guidebook on Service Quality Standards to RCHEs in enhanced bought place scheme (EBPS) homes;
(e) Stepping up prosecution against non-compliant RCHEs breaching licensing conditions; and
(f) Researching on quality assurance measures to help private RCHEs to further improve their standards above licensing requirements.
End/Thursday, January 24, 2002
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