Committee for care home manpower formed

It will be chaired by Dr. Lam Ching-choi.

The Social Welfare Department said it created the Steering Committee on Review of Manpower for Healthcare Services in Residential Care Homes (RCHs) to provide advice on the review.

Chaired by Dr. Lam Ching-choi, the committee includes stakeholders including RCH operators or organisations, allied health professionals and labour union, and representatives of relevant policy bureaus or departments.

The membership will be until two years and will begin on 1 July.

Whilst the learning resources and technologies will be the consultant to conduct the review, the committee will provide a steer on the review, advise on the consultant’s recommendations and priorities for their implementation, as well as on measures that are quantitatively effective and financially sustainable, to address the demand for healthcare services in both subsidised and private RCHs.

To resolve the manpower shortage in RCHs for both the elderly and those with disabilities, the Chief Executive announced in the 2022 Policy Address that the Government would conduct a holistic review of the skill and qualification requirements of RCH staff, so as to establish professional standards and a career progression path, with a view to attracting more locals to work in the sector and retain talent.