Residential Care

104.         We will increase the number of subsidised residential care places for the elderly through a multi-pronged approach. In the short run, we will purchase places from private residential care homes for the elderly through the Enhanced Bought Place Scheme and make better use of space in subvented homes for provision of more subsidised places. For the medium term, we will build new contract residential care homes to increase the number of subsidised places, particularly places providing a higher level of nursing care. In the long run, we will identify sites for new homes. We will explore the feasibility of incorporating residential care facilities into redevelopment projects, and convert vacant buildings into residential care homes. From now to 2014-15, the SWD will provide over 1 700 new subsidised places. We have also earmarked sites in 11 development projects for new contract residential care homes.

105.         Elderly people suffering from chronic diseases require longer-term infirmary care and rehabilitation services. The Hospital Authority (HA) will provide 130 additional convalescent beds and explore other modes of co-operation with the private sector in order to strengthen the infirmary care services for public hospital patients. We will also explore the option of converting Wong Chuk Hang Hospital, which mainly provides extended care, rehabilitation and infirmary care services at present, into a care home that will provide infirmary and nursing service with more residential places.

Contents | Next