The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) made the following appeal today (August 25) regarding a patient leaving the hospital without notification:

     A 79-year-old female patient with dementia was sent by ambulance to the Accident and Emergency Department of QMH for treatment at around noon today. After triage and pending consultation, the patient was all along accompanied by a staff of the old aged home she resided. The patient was found left the Accident and Emergency Department without notification at around 2.30pm.

     Upon receiving request for assistance from old aged home staff, security guards were deployed to search for the patient within the hospital compound and in the vicinity. The patient is yet to be located. The hospital is very concerned about the incident. It immediately informed the patient's family and reported the incident to the Police for assistance, QMH will fully co-operate with the Police in order to locate the patient.

     The patient is about 1.45 metres tall, with short gray hair and average body build. CCTV footage showed that the patient was wearing a black and white checked pattern long-sleeve jacket, gray pants, black shoes and glasses when she left the hospital.

     The hospital has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office through the Advance Incident Reporting System. QMH appeals to the public to contact the Western Police Station at 3661 1618 if they know the whereabouts of the patient.

     The Civil Aid Service (CAS) held the 88th Recruits Passing-out Parade at the CAS headquarters today (August 25). The parade was reviewed by the Director of Fire Services, Mr Andy Yeung.
 
     A total of 34 officer trainees and 53 recruits participated in the Parade. The graduates came from diverse backgrounds, including tertiary students and members of the disciplined services, education, social welfare, and medical sectors. They will apply their acquired knowledge and skills to serve society. 
 
     Mr Yeung presented awards to outstanding officer trainees and recruits. The graduates also performed a rescue demonstration to showcase their learning results.
 
     Speaking at the Parade, Mr Yeung said that the CAS has been working closely with the Fire Services Department (FSD) over the years. Not only have the CAS been sending their members to attend trainings organised by the FSD, but they have also actively participated in inter-departmental rescue operation exercises and public education activities. 
 
     Mr Yeung also mentioned that loving the country and Hong Kong is a core value of the city's society and an essential foundation for the successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle. He added that the graduates' strong commitment to serving Hong Kong forms an indispensable part of the efforts to maintain the city's prosperity and stability, safeguard national security and uphold the "one country, two systems" principle. He encouraged all graduates to learn from their experiences, face challenges with determination, stay true to their original aspirations, and strive forward. He said he firmly believes that they will unite, work hard, and grow stronger together, upholding the CAS pledge of "Provide Emergency Relief, Serve the Community" to wholeheartedly serve the public.
 
     The CAS Recruit Training Certificate Programme has been recognised under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework as meeting the accreditation standards at Level 3 by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. Graduates will be awarded the Certificate in Auxiliary Forces Basic Training (Civil Defence).
 
     Recruitment of CAS Grade IV Officers and Grade I Members open for application throughout the year. Recruitment details and application forms are available on the CAS website (www.cas.gov.hk).

          

     The Home Affairs Department will continue to open 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (August 25).

     The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.

     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Island:
———————

Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
——————

Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei

New Territories Districts:
————————–

Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung

North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. ;

     â€‹The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has ordered a general restaurant in Causeway Bay to suspend business for 14 days, as the licensee repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by extending the business area illegally.
          
     The restaurant, located on the ground floor of 7 Caroline Hill Road, was ordered to suspend business from today (August 25) to September 7.
          
     "Two convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the restaurant licensee in May and June of this year. A total fine of $5,600 was levied by the court and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department's demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the 14-day licence suspension," a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.
          
     The licensee concerned had a record of two convictions for the same offence in July and September of last year. A total fine of $5,100 was levied and 30 demerit points were also registered, leading to a seven-day licence suspension last December.
          
     The spokesman reminded licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR and other relevant regulations, or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.
              
     Licensed food premises are required to exhibit their licence and a sign at a conspicuous place of the premises, indicating that the premises have been licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/licence-foodPremises-search.html).

     â€‹The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (August 25) led his team of 21 Principal Officials to attend the second 2024 Policy Address District Forum at Queen Elizabeth School to continue listening to the views and suggestions of members of local communities on the upcoming Policy Address. About 120 people from different backgrounds participated in the District Forum.
　
     The two-hour District Forum consisted of two sessions. In the first session, the Chief Executive and the Principal Officials listened to the views of members of the public. The matters raised straddled across many areas, including land and housing, transport, innovation and technology, financial services development, cultural and creative industries, education, youth issues, poverty alleviation and support for the disadvantaged, healthcare and more. In the second session, participants were divided into four groups centred on the themes of "pursuing development and economic growth" and "improving people's livelihood in pursuit of happiness" to engage in more extensive discussions with the Chief Executive and the Principal Officials. The Chief Executive interacted with members of each group in turn and listened to their views.
 
     Mr Lee said, "I am very pleased to have had direct interactions with members of the public in the District Forums today and last Sunday to listen to their views on the Policy Address and their aspirations for Hong Kong. I would like to express my gratitude to the participants for offering their valuable views, which will enable us to better meet the needs of the community and benefit more people when formulating policy measures and allocating resources. The affection and expectations expressed by the participants towards Hong Kong are a great encouragement to our continued efforts. The Government will spare no efforts in devising effective measures, doing solid work to deliver results, and charting a brighter tomorrow for Hong Kong.
 
     "The Government has held more than 30 consultation sessions in different activities to date for the 2024 Policy Address, which included two District Forums, to tap the views and suggestions of representatives from different sectors and members of the public on the Policy Address. My team and I will continue to meet with representatives from various sectors and visit different districts to listen to public views and actively unite different sectors of the community to build a 'vibrant economy for a caring community'. "
 
     The Government launched the public consultation for the Policy Address on July 16. Members of the public can continue to give their views through various channels, including the Policy Address website, social media platforms, hotlines, email, fax and post.