Hong Kong carer support hotline takes 20,000 calls in 7 months with lawmakers urging authorities to do more in light of recent tragedies
- Undersecretary for Labour and Welfare Ho Kai-ming also reveals website providing information on help for carers has had 350,000 hits since November
- Seventeen hotline cases required emergency support with callers offered outreach services by operator, government says
A 24-hour hotline offering support to carers has received 20,000 calls since its launch last September, Hong Kong welfare officials have revealed, prompting calls from lawmakers for more to be done to help those in need in light of recent tragedies.
Undersecretary for Labour and Welfare Ho Kai-ming also said a designated website, which provides information on how carers can access help, had more than 350,000 hits since it was introduced last November.
Ho told a Legislative Council subcommittee meeting on carer-centric policies on Tuesday that the 182 183 hotline had taken 20,000 calls by mid-April.
A breakdown of government statistics showed that among 16,490 calls received by the end of last month, 6,265 or 38 per cent sought emotional support, followed by 3,756 inquiring about community support services, or 23 per cent of the overall figure.
Callers also asked for help on care issues and financial problems, while others also sought help in areas such as health and housing problems, requests for respite services, and family relationship issues.