Staff Relations Hotline: 2866-7519


Save for Unforeseeable Medical Expenses

YVONNE (fictitious name) is a serving woman police officer whose husband works in the private sector. The couple lives with Yvonne's aged mother-in-law. Yvonne and her husband are entitled to the medical welfare of civil servants but that was not extended to her mother-in-law.

About a year ago, Yvonne's mother-in-law came down with kidney disease and had to attend regular dialysis treatment in a public hospital.

Out of love and care for the old lady, Yvonne and her husband used to accompany her to attend the treatment at the very beginning but found it hard to do every time because of their irregular working hours. To avoid the restriction on time of treatment for the old lady and to save the trouble of travelling to the hospital, Yvonne's husband spent more than $100,000 to purchase a brand new dialysis machine for his mother's home use. By doing so, Yvonne's husband had to additionally pay for the medicine for the dialysis treatment which was quite costly.

Moreover, he believed that his mother might receive better medical attention in a private hospital and therefore he arranged for her to have follow up medical checks in a prestigious one.

Over the year, Yvonne's husband spent about $200,000 on the medical expenses of his mother.

Since Yvonne's husband had never saved regularly for unforeseeable expenses nor entered into an appropriate medical insurance policy for his mother, as time passed he found it very hard to make ends meet and eventually had to borrow money from banks to pay medical expenses.

When a friend learned about their situation he counselled them that the treatment of kidney disease was a lengthy process and the medical expenses continuous ¡Ð and without the coverage of an appropriate medical insurance policy, Yvonne and her husband had better take a more pragmatic approach and let the elderly woman receive treatment in a public hospital.

The couple eventually heeded the advice. Afterward, the financial burden of Yvonne's husband gradually eased and he started to clear his debts.

In the incident, Yvonne and her husband came to realise that it pays to be prudent in one's personal financial management and to develop the habit of saving early in order to be able to cope with unforeseeable expenses without falling deeply into debt.

They learned through this experience that one should always cover all members of the family under an appropriate medical insurance policy in order that an optimum amount of medical service and choices be available in the event of unforeseen health problems.

CPB honours a former colleague and Force benefits with a crime prevention and security management reference library

DAVID Eaton, who joined the Force in 1974 and was recruited into the Crime Prevention Bureau in 1983, was instrumental in establishing a bookcase collection of professional reference materials in CPB, and upon his death in 1992 the then SP CPB, John Norman, named the same in David's memory.

In the intervening years, the seeds planted by CIP Eaton continued to grow and the Bureau's reference books now require a whole room.

When it was decided to turn the facility into a proper reference and reading library, the current SP CPB, Simon Roberts, named it in honour of David.

Recently the David Eaton Memorial Library was officially opened by John Bicknell, CSP Crime Support.

The library contains an impressive collection of reference books pertaining to crime prevention and security management. It is available to all members of the Force. Anyone wishing to make use of the library should contact Mark Farrow: 2301-1106, or Gary Cheung: 2301-1122.

NEW ADDRESS

Hong Kong Police Old Comrades' Association (Canada)
8032 123rd Street, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, V3W 8P8
Telephone (604) 590-2087

Navigation rally & driving test

THE Police Motoring Club, in conjunction with the Hong Kong Automobile Association, is organising three Navigation rally & driving tests on 4 July, 12 September and 5 December (all Sundays).

The event consists of a navigation section in Kowloon and the New Territories (from 10am to 3pm), and a driving test (from 3pm to 5pm). In order to help participants prepare for the navigation rally, the Club will arrange table-top navigation training courses on 14 May and 25 June at the Hong Kong Aviation Club. Training courses will be conducted by experienced rally drivers.

Enquiries: Tsang Kwok-wah on 8101-1186 or Lui Kwok-yiu on 2352-9344.

ALSO, in order to prepare for the Zhuhai Formula One Race in the year 2000, the Hong Kong Automobile Association is currently recruiting marshals for the event. Training will be provided on Saturday 20 March (theory section), and on Sunday 21 March (full day practice section in Zhuhai).

A $100 entry fee will be charged.

Information: Tony Cheng on 2739-5273 (fax 2782-0555).

POLICE OFFICERS' CLUB

Forget Disneyland and the Mickey Mouse Club, the place to be is Causeway Bay at the Police Officers Club!

For all you Mickeys who like a drop of wine, there are still a few spaces on the June Wine Appreciation Course. Every Monday evening in June between 7pm and 9pm you will be introduced to the wonderful world of wine courtesy of the Hong Kong Wine School. Course fees are $1,750 and include tuition, handouts, a certificate, and . . . wine!

Goofy and Pluto would be delighted to hear that due to popular demand we have arranged another Dog Obedience Seminar in April. Saturday March 27 is fully booked, there are a few places left for Saturday April 10, and you can now book for Saturday April 17. The seminar will take place in the Gallery between 3pm and 4:30pm, it will be conducted in Cantonese, and there will be a short demo afterwards (please don't bring your own dog!). Book now on 2591-1911.

Donald Duck would be making a date in his diary for Thursday April 1, when the Verandah Bar will host a unique Up-Hanging of Formation plaques. Come and witness this historic event and enjoy a special Carlsberg promotion.

For Huey, Louie and Duey the Club will be hosting its traditional Kids' Easter Party on Sunday April 4. This year there will be a Magic Show, Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Balloon Sculpting, plenty to eat ¡Ð and the Great Egg Hunt. Tickets will be available soon at Club Reception.

BEAT CAFE

  • New a la carte menu for March - great selection, great prices.
  • Set lunch, three courses and tea/coffee, only $52 and new dishes available in March.
  • New set dinner, three courses, soft drink, tea/coffee, an unbelievable $68.
  • Special $9 Hot Dog promotion all month.

TSK Hall

  • Brand new all-day a la carte menu that's big on choice, small on cost.
  • Special lunch offer ¡Ð steaming bowl of abalone & chicken congee for just $3.
  • If your bill is over $1,000 you receive a free bottle of wine, if you choose a full set menu of $2,666 or above per table you also receive a FREE BOTTLE OF REMY MARTIN VSOP.
  • Special shark's fin and abalone set dinner with a complimentary glass of red wine ¡Ð only $376 for two people.

VERANDAH BAR

  • The Happiest Happy Hour in Town continues every evening 5pm to 8pm.


Leave Homes

FORCE holiday bungalow accommodation is available from Mar 17 to April 12 for Gazetted and Inspectorate officers and their civilian counterparts as follows:

Casa Pearl Terrace in Macau, Mar 17-31, Apr 1-5, 10-12
Casa Sagres in Macau, Mar 17-31, Apr 1,5-12
Hellen Garden in Macau, Mar 17-19, 22-28, 30-31, Apr 1, 6-12
Ham Tin No.10, 1/F, in Pui O, Mar 17-31, Apr 8-12
Tung Tsz A4, Mar 17-28, 31, Apr 1,4, 9-12
Tong Fuk No.149, 1/F, Mar 17-19, 21-26, 28-31, Apr 1, 8-9, 11-12

Accommodation after April 12 will be allocated by ballot. For reservations, apply to Personnel Services Branch Holiday Facilities Unit at 2804-1135. Applicants please use the new application forms (Rev 97). You cannot apply for more than one bungalow during the same period.

The following hotels are offering accommodation at reduced rates for Force members:

Mandarin Oriental Macau (800-967338)
New World Emperor Hotel Macau (2192-6074)
Hotel Sintra (2546-6944)
Holiday Inn Macau (800-965646)
Hotel Ritz Macau (2739-9928)
Forum Hotel Shenzhen (2866-7699); and
Shenzhen Century Plaza Hotel (2598-0363)
Shenzhen Nanhai Hotel (2315-5388)
Guangzhou Hai Tao Hotel (2311-2283); and
Gold Coast Hotel (2452-8888)
Warwick Hotel (2981-0081)
Concerto Inn (2982-1668)

Interested colleagues should obtain a letter of introduction from the Personnel Services Branch Holiday Facilities Unit and contact the hotels directly for reservations.









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