SWD Working Group commences review of ordinances and codes of practice for residential care homes
***************************************************************

     The Working Group on the Review of Ordinances and Codes of Practice (CoP) for residential care homes chaired by the Director of Social Welfare (DSW) commenced work as it held its first meeting today (June 20). During the meeting, members of the Working Group were consulted on the terms of reference as well as the scope and workflow of the review, a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said today.

     Following the funding approval for the creation of a supernumerary post of Assistant Director of Social Welfare by the Legislative Council's Finance Committee on April 21, the SWD set up a new Licensing and Regulation Branch on May 2, and has started preparatory work to form a working group to review the Ordinances and CoP for Residential Care Homes for the Elderly (RCHEs) and Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities (RCHDs), the SWD spokesman said.

     The Working Group, chaired by the DSW, comprises Legislative Council members, non-governmental organisations operating RCHEs and RCHDs, the private sector, members of the Elderly Commission and Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, academics, service users or carers, independent members and representatives from the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and the Labour and Welfare Bureau.

     The terms of reference of the Working Group are to review the current CoP for RCHEs and RCHDs, Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Ordinance and Residential Care Homes (Persons with Disabilities) Ordinance; to identify improvement areas and explore feasible measures; and to suggest concrete amendments.

     During the meeting today, members of the Working Group were briefed on the Licensing Schemes for RCHEs and RCHDs, as well as on a series of measures to strengthen the monitoring of residential care homes and enhance their service quality. In addition, they were also consulted on the introduction of professional requirements for home managers and training programmes for home staff, and the registration system for health workers.  

Ends/Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:55

NNNN