The secretary for labor and welfare, Chris Sun, expressed his hope that the investigation into alleged abuse at a care home operated by the Hong Chi Association could lead to measures that prevent such incidents in the future. A care home worker was arrested for suspected sexual assault of two residents while on duty, leading to the termination of the employee and the initiation of an independent review committee by the association.
Sun emphasized the importance of the review committee completing its work promptly to identify areas for systematic improvements and ensure the prevention of similar unfortunate incidents moving forward. While the government is unable to disclose details of abuse cases from other care facilities due to privacy concerns, Sun revealed that the Social Welfare Department had issued warnings to 15 care homes in the past year.
These warning letters serve to alert care homes of any deficiencies or potential rule violations, prompting them to address these issues and enhance their practices. Sun stressed that the purpose of issuing warnings is to highlight areas of concern and encourage the industry to focus on improving specific areas.
In light of the recent case, the Social Welfare Department will now conduct an annual review of the Hong Chi Association-operated care home’s license, deviating from the previous triennial evaluation cycle. The department’s decision on the care home’s future operations will be contingent on the findings of the independent review committee.
Sun underscored the importance of distinguishing between the overall quality of care home operations and individual misconduct, noting that while the facility’s standards are crucial, the actions of specific individuals must also be addressed separately. By maintaining this distinction and implementing targeted improvements based on investigative outcomes, the government aims to enhance the safety and well-being of care home residents across the region.
