The recently released Policy Address by the Chief Executive focused on the theme of "A Vibrant Economy for a Caring Community". The Address contains a wide range of rich and diverse policies that aim to uplift and support various sectors, including childcare, youth, the elderly, rehabilitation, caring and inclusive community, and support for carers. It also includes measures to promote economic growth, address housing issues, improve the growing elderly population, enhance healthcare and education, and provide relief measures to benefit the public. These initiatives bring hope, vitality, and a sense of harmony to Hong Kong as it gradually steps away from the epidemic and moves towards prosperity.
The Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council will take into consideration the relevant content and measures outlined in the Policy Address and align them with the future development of our services. At the same time, we would like to provide the following response regarding social welfare matters:
Childcare and Student Services
Childcare services and the well-being of students and working families are key areas of focus for the Welfare Council. We are pleased to see the government allocating resources to support parents. The planned opening of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Shamshuipo Nursery School in 2024 will provide more suitable services for children and parents. Additionally, our Kowloon City Children and Youth Integrated Services Centre has received extensive and positive feedback as one of the pilot areas for after-school care programme.
Elderly Services
As one of the core areas of our work, the Welfare Council acknowledges the government’s proposed measures related to elderly services. Given the shortage of manpower in residential care homes and the growing elderly population, we will work in cooperation with the government’s initiatives to provide flexible and suitable options for the elderly. Our various elderly care service units, including the Guangzhou En Shan Social Service Centre, are committed to addressing the needs of the elderly population.
Youth Services
As the operating organisation of the "Strive and Rise Programme," the Welfare Council welcomes the government's increase in student quotas and expansion to cover Form 4 students. These measures allow students from disadvantaged families to participate in more extracurricular activities, broaden their horizons, unleash their potential, and increase their chances of escaping intergenerational poverty.
Rehabilitation Services
In supporting persons with disabilities, the Welfare Council strongly supports the government's efforts to enhance support for mental rehabilitation and individuals with mental health needs. We proactively provide more training for social workers in relevant units to enhance their ability to handle complex cases. Our Wong Tai Sin District Health Centre will fully cooperate with the pilot scheme of community mental health assessment to promptly follow up on and refer high-risk cases.
Support Carers
Carers for the elderly and individuals with disabilities face numerous pressures, and we welcome the government's expansion of respite care service networks to alleviate their burdens. The Welfare Council strongly supports the government's campaign to promote publicity on caring for the carers, including the "Carer Month" held in October 2023, which raises awareness among carers to take care of their own physical and mental health and encourages support from all sectors.
Caring and inclusive community
The Welfare Council is dedicated to promoting social inclusion and has established a multicultural outreach team for the Multi-Cultural Community to assist in integrating into the community and utilising mainstream welfare services. We welcome the government's proposed measures to enhance support for ethnic minorities in areas such as education and employments. Our commitment remains steadfast in serving multicultural communities and building a harmonious society.
Looking ahead, the Welfare Council offers the following recommendations:
- Enhancing the quality of elderly care facilities and addressing the manpower shortage, a multifaceted approach is necessary. This includes developing long-term home-based elderly care options to reduce waiting times for residential care facilities. Additionally, conducting a comprehensive review of staffing arrangements, reevaluating the salary levels and working hours of local care workers, and increasing incentives for locals to join the elderly care and rehabilitation industry to retain manpower.
- Promoting the employment of the “silver-haired group” and encouraging them to re-enter the workforce can achieve targeted poverty alleviation. Simultaneously, further research should be conducted on sustainable retirement protection schemes.
- In response to the legislative proposals on advance directives and dying in place, it is recommended that the government actively promote comprehensive legislation, enhance the capabilities, facilities, and staffing of service organisations and residential care homes in this aspect. This will enable the provision of dignified and choice-based end-of-life care for the elderly and promote compassionate care in the community.
- The government can consider reviewing the data and needs of carers in each district. The population census needs to include this element to more accurately grasp the situations of carers and improve district-based caring services, strengthen carer support networks, and enhance the capabilities of elderly day care centres and community services to support carers in the community.
- Strengthening the promotion of vocational and professional education, aligning vocational training with mainstream education, and providing diverse learning and employment opportunities for young people.
- When formulating a comprehensive "Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint", it is recommended to introduce visiting Chinese medicine practitioner service for residential care homes, allowing elderly or persons with disabilities to choose to receive Chinese medicine treatment, increasing flexibility and meeting the needs of service users.
- When implementing the “Community Living Room" initiative, considering adding two pilot sites in the key areas of sub-divided units would strengthen communication with residents in sub-divided units and facilitate a more effective evaluation of the programme’s effectiveness.
In conclusion, this year’s Policy Address has presented specific proposals and project targets in various areas of social welfare, aiming to benefit individuals of all age groups and bring happiness to the community. The government's commitment to implementing comprehensive and multi-dimensional social welfare policies reinforces the future operation and development directions of social welfare organisations. The Welfare Council will closely monitor the development of government policies, express timely opinions, and collaborate with all sectors to build a better and more harmonious Hong Kong.