ACMH Launches One-Year Compassionate Support Programme for Bereaved Families Following Tai Po Fire Tragedy

Advisory Committee on Mental Health launches Compassionate Support Programme for Bereaved Families to provide mental health support for families bereaved in Tai Po fire

The Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH) announced today (December 11) the launch of a one-year Compassionate Support Programme for Bereaved Families, under the co-ordination of the ACMH and with the participation of a number of non-governmental organisations, in response to the recent fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Participating organisations in the initial stage include Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, the Comfort Care Concern Group, and the Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong.

Dovetailing with the "one social worker per household" service of the Social Welfare Department, the programme provides free mental health support services, including grief and bereavement counselling for the bereaved, and refers them to clinical psychologists and/or psychiatrists for follow-up services as required based on mental health risk assessments, with a view to accompanying them through the pain of loss. Participating organisations will actively reach out to the bereaved families to provide services. The Primary Healthcare Commission can also refer affected families to join the programme through the District Health Centres in all 18 districts in Hong Kong.

In addition, the Hospital Authority will train the staff of the relevant social service organisations by enhancing their knowledge of and skills in responding to reactions and stress brought about by disasters.

The Chairman of the ACMH, Dr Lam Ching-choi, said, "We fully understand the profound pain and loss caused by the disaster. The Compassionate Support Programme for Bereaved Families will pool strengths from different sectors to provide psychological support for bereaved families affected by the disaster in a timely manner and to journey with them through this difficult time."

Dr Lam also visited the Lok Sin Village transitional housing project in Tai Po operated by the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon, yesterday (December 10) to learn more about the living environment, facilities and support available to the victims of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, who have been rehoused there on a temporary basis.

Advisory Committee on Mental Health launches Compassionate Support Programme for Bereaved Families to provide mental health support for families bereaved in Tai Po fire Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two co-owners fined over $130,000 for not complying with removal order

​Two co-owners were convicted and fined $133,250 in total, of which $109,250 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts yesterday (December 10) for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

The case involved a structure with an area of about 20 square metres on the roof of a composite building at Fuk Tsun Street, Tai Kok Tsui. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owners under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, they were prosecuted by the BD.

A spokesman for the BD said today (December 11), "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety."

Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

The Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts, the Kowloon City Law Courts Building