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The Social Welfare Department (SWD) has received written representations from Tai Po Cambridge Nursing Home Limited on the department's intention to refuse its licence renewal application. After examining and considering the representations, the department will make a decision on the application for licence renewal as soon as possible while at the same time ensuring proper residential arrangements for all the affected elderly residents, a spokesman for the SWD said today (June 5).
The privately run residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) is located on the second and third floors of 20-26 Wan Tau Street in Tai Po. The department, in accordance with Section 11 of the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Ordinance, served a notice on the licence holder last Friday (May 29) stating the department's intention to refuse to renew its licence, and, according to the stipulation in the Ordinance, specifying that the licence holder may make written representations on the matter to the Director of Social Welfare within one week.
The SWD spokesman said, "Social workers from the designated help desk of the department have already contacted all 57 residents and their family members to discuss the residents' residential care arrangements. Social workers also visited the RCHE to follow up on the residents' needs and provide emotional support services. Up to the present moment, 37 residents have moved out of the RCHE, 19 have drawn up their residential care plans and the remaining one is awaiting the decision of relatives. Social workers from the SWD will continue to keep contact with the family members and render necessary assistance according to their wishes to ensure proper residential arrangements for all the affected elderly residents."
The spokesman added, "The licence of the RCHE will remain in effect until a decision is made by the department. On-site inspections have been carried out by the SWD's Licensing Office of Residential Care Homes for the Elderly to ensure that the interests of the elderly residents are protected."
He stressed that the top agenda of the SWD is to ensure proper arrangements for all the affected residents. Social workers will actively follow up on the needs of the residents and their family members and render emotional support services to them whenever required.
Ends/Friday, June 5, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:51
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