Author Archives: hksar gov

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (January 21) released the report of the consultancy study on “Skill and Qualification Requirements of Residential Care Home (RCH) Staff providing Health and Rehabilitation Services in Hong Kong”.

     The SWD established a Steering Committee on Review of Manpower for Healthcare Services in RCHs in July 2023 to provide advice and steer on the holistic review of the skill and qualification requirements of RCH staff to build professional standards and a career progression path, thereby retaining talent and attracting new blood. The Committee was chaired by Dr Lam Ching-choi, and its membership comprised stakeholders from various sectors, including RCH operators/organisations, allied health professionals, trade union members and representatives of relevant policy bureaux/departments. Under the steer of the Committee, the Consultant commissioned by the SWD collected views from the stakeholders through RCH field observation and data analysis, questionnaire surveys, workshops, focus groups and individual interviews, and sought advice from relevant advisory bodies. Following the conclusion of the review at the end of 2024, the Consultant submitted the report of the consultancy study scrutinised by the Committee to the SWD. The SWD has accepted the report.

     According to the report of the consultancy study, there has been a growing demand for professional care services in the RCH sector due to an ageing population, rendering it essential to nurture professional health and care talent dedicated to the social welfare sector to sustain its steady development. The report puts forth four key recommendations: 

1. It is recommended to establish a new professional rank of “Health&Care Practitioner” (HCP) responsible for health and care procedures at the RCHs for the Elderly (RCHEs), the RCHs for Persons with Disabilities (RCHDs) and other elderly/rehabilitation welfare service units. The HCP, which covers care and health duties with due emphasis on practice, can both attract people who aspire to pursue a career in the social welfare sector and offer promotion and career prospects for Health Workers (HWs), which is conducive to talent retention. Additionally, this new rank would provide RCHs with greater flexibility in utilising their manpower resources, reduce competition for talent with the medical health sector and alleviate the tight manpower situation in RCHs.

     Based on the existing regulatory mechanism for HWs, the SWD is recommended to be in charge of such matters as the registration, assessment and complaint of the HCPs to ensure their professional competency and ensure that they would be put under effective regulation. The validity period of a registration or renewal of registration as an HCP would be not more than five years.

     At the initial stage of the establishment of the HCPs, it is recommended to invite serving registered HWs who have served in the position for not less than three years to undergo the training. To become an HCP, one must complete a recognised training course and attain a professional diploma. The diploma concerned is pitched at Qualifications Framework Level 4 with a total of 760 learning hours. Its entry qualification requirements would be identical to those of the Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme, and in respect of the required health and care work in the social welfare service units, the assessment standards of the HCP training course would also be the same as those of Enrolled Nurses. 

2. Adjustments are recommended to the training content of the Certificate in Progression Training for Care Workers (Certificate Training). At present, Care Workers (CWs) who have completed the local Form Three programme and worked as a CW in RCHEs or RCHDs for not less than three years are eligible to enrol in the Certificate Training, and only those who have successfully passed the assessment are eligible to enrol in the HW Training Programme. Since the work of HWs is mostly practical, it is proposed to reduce the number of learning hours in language subjects of the Certificate Training with a corresponding increase in those training hours on vocational-related knowledge, so that CWs who aspire to take up health care work in RCHs would be equipped with more practical operational experience and competencies.

3. Amendments to the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Regulation (Cap. 459A) and the Residential Care Homes (Persons with Disabilities) Regulation (Cap. 613A) are recommended to introduce the new HCP rank into the relevant Regulations without altering the existing statutory staffing requirements. This would allow RCHs to employ Enrolled Nurses or HCPs to meet the relevant statutory staffing requirements.

4. RCH operators are recommended to attract and retain staff through measures such as enhancing career development and promotion opportunities, applying information technology and gerontechnology, and encouraging RCH staff to undergo training.

     A spokesman for the SWD said that the Department agrees with the key findings and recommendations of the report of the consultancy study and will report to the Panel on Welfare Services of the Legislative Council in due course. The recommendations of the consultancy report will be implemented progressively with a view to nurturing specialised health and care professional talent dedicated to the social welfare sector.

     The full text and the executive summary of the report (Chinese only) have been uploaded to the SWD’s website www.swd.gov.hk/en/pubsvc/lr/lr_info/cons_study/. read more

     â€‹A sick 46-year-old male remand person in custody at Tung Tau Correctional Institution died in a public hospital today (January 21).
      
     The remand person in custody suffered from cancer. He required continuous medical care and follow-ups at the institution hospital and a public hospital. On December 26, 2024, he was sent to a public hospital for treatment due to physical discomfort. During hospitalisation, his condition deteriorated and he was certified dead at 11.47am today.
      
     The case has been reported to the Police. A death inquest will be held by the Coroner’s Court.
      
     The person in custody was remanded for the offence of trafficking in a dangerous drug in January 2024. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (January 21) that another case of severe paediatric influenza A infection in a child who has not yet received the seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) has been reported. This is the second reported case in children in two consecutive days. The CHP strongly urged members of the public who have not yet received the SIV to act immediately to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
      
     “A five-year-old boy with a history of good health developed high fever and a sore throat on January 19. He went to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tuen Mun Hospital on the following day and was admitted to the hospital on the same day for treatment. His nasopharyngeal swab specimen tested positive for influenza A (H1) virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was influenza A infection complicated with sepsis and encephalopathy. He remains hospitalised in severe condition. In the first three days this week, the CHP has received two severe cases of influenza A infection in unvaccinated children, including the one announced yesterday (January 20) which involved a 14-year-old girl,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
      
     The boy had no travel history during the incubation period. So far, his household contacts are asymptomatic and there has been no recent influenza outbreak at his school. An initial investigation revealed that he did not receive 2024/2025 seasonal influenza vaccination. The CHP reiterated its call to the parents to bring their children to receive the SIV as soon as possible.
           
     “Influenza vaccination has been scientifically proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications, while significantly reducing the risk of hospitalisation and death from seasonal influenza. All persons aged 6 months and above (except those with known contraindications) who have not yet received the SIV should act immediately, particularly the elderly and children who have a higher risk of becoming infected with influenza and other complications,” the spokesman said.
           
     The spokesman reminded the public that Hong Kong has entered the influenza season. The seasonal influenza activity is expected to increase further while the activity of other respiratory infectious diseases may also increase. To protect their health and that of their family members, the public should not only receive the SIV, but also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene, and take the following measures to prevent contacting influenza and other respiratory illnesses:
 

• Wear surgical masks to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• High-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised) should wear surgical masks when visiting public places. The general public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one’s eyes, mouth and nose;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, consider whether to go to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

     
     â€‹For the latest information, members of the public can visit the CHP’s seasonal influenza and COVID-19 & Flu Express webpages.  read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 21) is investigating a probable case of botulism involving a patient who received injections of botulinum toxin on the Mainland. The CHP reminded the public that botulinum toxin injections should only be prescribed and performed by registered doctors.
 
     “The case involves a female patient aged 31 with a history of good health. According to the patient, she received injections purporting to be botulinum toxin on the Mainland on January 13. However, the patient was unable to confirm the professional qualifications of the person who performed the injections. A few days after the injection, she presented with symptoms including limbs weakness, swallowing difficulty and shortness of breath. She attended Tseung Kwan O Hospital and was admitted on January 20. She is in stable condition and was clinically suspected to have botulism caused by botulinum toxin injection,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     The CHP has reported the case to the relevant authority on the Mainland. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing.
 
     “In Hong Kong, botulinum toxin injections should only be performed by a locally registered doctor. Customers should verify the doctor’s full name against the list of registered doctors of the Medical Council of Hong Kong as well as their professional qualifications and relevant experience. When receiving injections outside Hong Kong, pay special attention to ensure the provider is qualified or registered with relevant jurisdictions for practice. In case of injections offered from suspicious sources, refrain from receiving them. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice from eligible medical professionals as soon as possible,” the spokesman said.
 
     Due to the weakening of the associated muscles and the fact that botulinum toxin may spread and affect other areas beyond the injection site, affected patients may have drooping eyelids, double or blurred vision, problems with chewing, hoarseness, or even difficulties in swallowing, speaking or breathing, which may happen hours, days or weeks after the injection.
 
     The CHP urged the public to observe the following health advice before receiving botulinum toxin injections:
 

• Injections in Hong Kong should only be performed by locally registered doctors;
• Understand the procedure, potential risks and possible complications before receiving injections. Consult a doctor for an informed decision;
• Do not receive injections from suspicious sources;
• Do not receive an injection in the case of a history of allergy to botulinum toxin, or if there is an infection or inflammation on the injection site;
• Request the full name of the doctor in writing if referred by a beauty service provider for the procedure, as well as the professional qualifications and relevant experience; and
• If symptoms develop after injections, such as a fever or feeling unwell, seek medical attention immediately.

 
     The public may visit the DH’s webpage on the differentiation between medical procedures and beauty services, the Drug Database of the Drug Office and the CHP’s botulism page for more information.​ read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Chiyu Banking Corporation Limited relating to fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
      
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or login screens concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012. read more