Inquest Jury Suggests Care Home Improvements

A coroner’s jury has called for staffing levels to be increased at homes for people with disabilities, after ruling that the death of a teenager who fell from a Kwai Chung home was accidental.

The 14-year-old boy, who had a moderate intellectual disability and autism, fell from the Hong Kiu Home in Kwai Chung on August 23, 2016.

A five-member jury ruled unanimously that the death was an accident and made a number of suggestions to improve safety at private homes for the disabled.

For the Hong Kiu Home in particular, the jurors said surveillance cameras should be installed, empty rooms should be locked and staff must make sure they have enough rest.

In general, the jurors said the minimum manpower requirement of such homes should be increased, and a time limit should be imposed for any staff members leaving their posts on a temporary basis.

The jurors also said a merit points system should be introduced, so any homes found to have committed serious blunders get marks deducted or even have their licences revoked.

Among other things, the jurors said the government should provide training for staff at disability homes.