Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr York Chow says the nursing shortage in elderly homes will be alleviated when 220 nurses graduate from two rounds of a training programme.

He told legislators today the preference of registered nurses to work in hospitals is a contributing factor to the elderly home shortage.

To address the problem, the first round of nurse training specifically for the welfare sector was held in March, while the second will be staged in November. Graduates must work in the welfare sector as enrolled nurses for at least two years after graduation.

Dr Chow said subvented care and attention homes have the necessary resources to employ nurses to meet their operational needs. The minimum requirements on the ratio between care staff and residents has also been set out in the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Regulation.

Drug safety

On drug safety and handling, Dr Chow said seniors homes are required to adopt a system of 'three-checking, five-verification for minimising errors in distributing drugs. Measures have also been set to help them systematise their drug distribution process.

He said the requirement for seniors homes to deploy nurses and health workers to distribute drugs is proper.

Noting such homes are not involved in drug dispensation, the Government does not see the need to have all seniors homes employ pharmacists or dispensers or to make it a statutory requirement.