Handicapped children left tied to beds and chairs at hostel

Children and young people with mental and physical disabilities staying in private health-care hostels are often tied up for long periods, live in unhygienic conditions, are regularly given unhealthy food and suffer skin diseases without care, a legislator and a social worker said yesterday.

Independent legislator Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung, who represents the social welfare sector, led a TVB news crew to film conditions at a Yuen Long hostel. The broadcast last night showed footage of children without adequate supervision or care and at least three were seen tied to beds and chairs.

A Legislative Council panel is to meet this morning to discuss the provision of support services for disabled children.

Dr Cheung told TVB the government did not go far enough to protect the well-being of such children. He said a licensing system for the homes was necessary for their protection against abuse.

'We have seen some patients tied to their beds for a long period,' he said. 'This is something we cannot accept ... We have even heard about dogs and patients sharing the same bed in some hostels.'

According to government figures, there are about 20 private hostels taking care of around 1,100 young people with disabilities.

There is a non-binding code of practice but no licensing scheme to regulate the hostels.