Press Releases
SHWF tours welfare and health facilities in Tin Shui Wai
The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, today (December 20) toured a number of welfare and health facilities in Tin Shui Wai to observe the mode of service delivery and listen to the views of the public and frontline staff on service improvements in the new town.
During the visit, Dr Chow reviewed the operation of family service at the Tin Shui Wai (North) Integrated Family Service Centre where he was briefed on how services were provided to help-seekers who were having family problems. He also met with frontline social workers to listen to their views and concerns.
"The Social Welfare Department and the non-governmental organisations have all along been providing a series of preventive, supportive and remedial services to strengthen the function of families as well as to render necessary assistance to families in need," Dr Chow said.
"We have adopted a cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approach to tackle the problem of domestic violence. Enhanced training for frontline staff is also in place. Also, strong mutual help networks provide the basic and essential protective elements of a safe, supportive and socially inclusive society.
"We will continue to enhance public awareness of the need to strengthen families and combat domestic violence to members of the public through public education."
At the "Tin Yuet Youth Space for Participation, Opportunity and Training" youth centre, Dr Chow took the opportunities to talk to service users including school children, young people and parents.
Dr Chow was glad to see that a social inclusion project funded by the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund was starting to bear fruit during his visit to the Pok Oi Hospital Mrs Chu Kwok King Memorial Day Nursery. Local and new arrival families were building up strong mutual help networks around their estate.
He inspected a community hairdressing class organised under this funded project to promote family cohesion and a more vibrant community life.
The project had been successful in bridging the new arrivals with the locals, strengthening family cohesion, and providing the opportunity for mutual help in Tin Shui Wai.
Dr Chow also visited the Tin Shui Wai Health Centre to inspect the service delivery of the general out-patient clinic, nurse-led clinic and specialist support session.
He then visited the Tin Shui Community Centre where he met with local personalities including the chairman and vice-chairman of the Yuen Long District Council, Dr Tang Siu-tong and Mr Leung Che-cheung, to exchange views on local health, welfare and hygiene issues.
Ends/Monday, December 20, 2004
NNNN