MY elderly relative is staying in a Hong Kong Government subvented care and attention home. I would like to bring to attention the disparity in remuneration between the professionals who work for the Hospital Authority (HA) and those who work for subvented welfare organisations.
With salary points on the same master pay scale, HA workers obtain a substantial cash allowance per month on top of their salaries, whereas workers in government subvented organisations get none.
This is one of the reasons why it is difficult to attract professionals to work for the latter, which has constant staff shortages and high turnover. This in turn affects the staff-to-resident ratio and thus the quality of care in these homes.
What has happened to equal work, equal pay? I believe the Government should look into this matter seriously.
Chris Patten would like to see improved care for the elderly. Why not make the environment attractive to the badly needed professionals first? NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED