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One-stop district support centres provide community support for PWDs
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     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said today (May 8) that one-stop district support centres provide a wide range of care and training services to cater for the different needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and to enhance the capability of their carers with a view to enabling them to stay in and integrate into the community.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony of Fu Hong Society's Tin Shui Wai District Support Centre, Mr Cheung said, "By revamping the existing community support services in January 2009, the Social Welfare Department set up 16 one-stop district support centres throughout the territory to save PWDs and their carers the hassle of travelling to and from districts for various services.

     "The centre operated by Fu Hong Society in Tin Shui Wai is the first of its kind to open officially upon completion of renovation to provide care and training in areas like social skills, psychological and personal development, etc, through an activity-based approach. It also helps relieve pressure on carers and enhances their capability by providing them with the necessary support and training services.

     "Three more district support centres will come on stream this autumn to serve PWDs in Yuen Long, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung, as well as Kwun Tong West," he added.

     Mr Cheung also noted that apart from district support centres, the Government was also mindful of the needs of persons with severe physical or mental disabilities who were waiting for subvented residential care services.  

     "Some $163 million has been earmarked under the Lotteries Fund in 2010-11 to carry out a three-year pilot scheme on home-based nursing care services to provide personal care and nursing care services, therapy and rehabilitation training by specialised care workers, therapists and nurses.

     "We will start with Kwun Tong and Tuen Mun, where there are more persons with severe disabilities on the waitlist and it is expected that 540 persons with severe disabilities will benefit in three years," he said.

Ends/Saturday, May 8, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:32

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