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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited the Medical Social Services Units (MSSUs) in Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital today (August 11) to keep himself abreast of the work of front-line medical social workers (MSWs).
Accompanied by the District Social Welfare Officer (Eastern and Wan Chai), Mr Ngan Man-por, Mr Cheung was briefed by the officers-in-charge of the MSSUs on the daily work and the scope of services of the MSWs which include provision of psychosocial support to patients and their families, offering financial and in-kind assistance and formulation of discharge plans for patients.
During a discussion with the MSWs, Mr Cheung noted that apart from working in hospitals, the MSWs also play an important role in linking up the medical and social services in the community. They work closely with other medical and health professionals to facilitate patients' rehabilitation and integration in the community.
Mr Cheung paid high tribute to the dedicated work of front-line MSWs. "They are often the vanguard providing first line bereavement and traumatic support in cases of major incidents. Apart from servicing the in-patient wards, the psychiatric teams are also actively involved in provision of services in out-patient departments and day hospitals as well as reaching out to persons in need in the community."
Mr Cheung thanked all the staff in the MSSUs for providing services with professionalism to meet the ever-increasing needs in the community. He encouraged them to keep up their efforts in helping people in need.
MSSUs are operated in public hospitals and some specialist out-patient clinics. Currently, 34 MSSUs are run by the Social Welfare Department while another 21 are operated by the Hospital Authority. Patients and their families can approach the MSSUs in hospitals and specialist out-patient clinics direct for counselling support and assistance. The medical professionals in hospitals and specialist out-patient clinics, other government departments, welfare organisations and members of the public can also make referrals to the MSSUs.
Ends/Monday, August 11, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:25
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