Press Releases
SHWF orders detailed report on Ho Man Tin elderly home
The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, today (September 8) asked the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the Department of Health (DH) to provide in one week's time a detailed report on the elderly home in Ho Man Tin where an outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred.
Dr Yeoh also asked the concerned departments for an assessment of the present conditions in the elderly home, a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said.
"The assessment will help the Government identify problem areas and shortcomings of the present elderly home services, including disease surveillance. Upon receiving reports from the concerned departments, the Government will study the issues and problems involved and review how to strengthen the system to ensure quality of care for the elderly," the spokesman said.
As of September 6, 14 of the 31 residents together with four staff had shown symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain. Of the affected, three are still hospitalised for gastroenteritis and they are in stable conditions.
"As there will be repairing and renovation works on the premises, it would be better to temporarily relocate the residents to avoid disturbing the daily routine of the residents," the spokesman said.
To facilitate works on the kitchen and toilet facilities in the premises, the SWD had frozen the admission of new residents under the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme and cautioned the operator against the admission of new residents.
Residents of the elderly home would be temporarily relocated until the renovation at the premises has completed to the satisfaction of the SWD.
The spokesman said there were valid reasons for the relocation both on operational grounds and consideration of the well-being and comfort of the elderly residents.
The authorities had today assisted the relocation of three elders to the Cheung Muk Tau Holiday Center for the Elderly in Sai Kung while arrangement has been made for the rest to be relocated in the next few days.
The bureau, SWD, the Centre for Health Protection of Department of Health and the Buildings Department had conducted a joint site visit to the elderly home this morning.
Ends/Wednesday, September 8, 2004
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