The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited Sha Tin District today (December 5) to see the local elderly care and sporting facilities and meet with District Council members to learn more about the latest developments and residents' concerns.

     Accompanied by District Officer (Sha Tin), Miss Amy Chan, and District Social Welfare Officer (Sha Tin), Mrs Gloria Lee, Mr Cheung first visited elderly residents living at the Caritas Harold HW Lee Care and Attention Home to find out about their daily life and welfare needs. "Government recurrent expenditure on various elderly services, including social security and medical services, in this financial year is expected to reach $67.3 billion, amounting to about 20 per cent of total recurrent government expenditure. This reflects the current-term Government's commitment on elderly care," Mr Cheung said.

     Mr Cheung also visited the co-located Caritas Jockey Club Integrated Day Services Centre for the Elderly, which is actively participating in the second phase of the Pilot Scheme on Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly launched by the Social Welfare Department. Taking the chance to exchange views with Scheme users, Mr Cheung said, "The Pilot Scheme adopts the 'money-follows-the-user' funding mode. Through direct subsidy to eligible elderly persons in the form of service vouchers, the users may enjoy more flexible packages of community care services that suit their individual needs. The coverage under the second phase has been extended from eight districts to all 18 districts across the territory, offering up to 3 000 vouchers with different face values ranging from $3,600 to $8,600."

     Mr Cheung was briefed by the Centre's physiotherapist on a heated pool facility, which is accessible to local senior citizens and people with rehabilitation needs in the form of a self-financing service, in which he expressed great interest. Noting that the Hong Kong population was fast ageing, Mr Cheung said the demand for silver-hair market services would grow substantially.

     Mr Cheung then visited Shing Mun River Promenade to inspect the site of the Signature Project Scheme (Sha Tin District) - Revitalisation of Shing Mun River Promenade near Sha Tin Town Centre. He was briefed on how Shing Mun River Promenade would be revitalised to enhance public enjoyment. Mr Cheung also visited one of the proposed spots outside Sha Tin Rowing Centre where fitness equipment would be provided. The proposed facilities should be able to give Shing Mun River Promenade a face-lift and enhance public enjoyment.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Cheung attended a meeting with members of the Sha Tin District Council to learn more about the latest development of the district and to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

Ends/Monday, December 5, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:53

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