The Government announced today (June 15) an in-situ land exchange with the Sailors Home and Mission to Seafarers (the Mission) for the redevelopment of the Mariners' Club at Tsim Sha Tsui to enable the continued provision of welfare services to seafarers.
 
     The current site of the Mariners' Club at 11 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, was acquired by the Mission through land exchange on full market value in 1965. Over the years, the Mariners' Club has been providing, at its own cost, affordable accommodation and a range of other welfare services to transiting seafarers and their family members. With time, the facilities at the Mariners' Club have deteriorated and become outdated, making it difficult for the Mission to sustain its services to seafarers. 
 
     With the approved in-situ land exchange, the Mission, upon settlement of the premium, can identify a development partner to redevelop the site into a composite building with a new Mariners' Club on the lower levels and a commercial hotel on the upper levels. The redevelopment will allow the Mission to modernise the facilities of the Mariners' Club for the continued provision of affordable welfare services to seafarers.
 
     A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said, "The redevelopment will support Hong Kong's maritime industry and tourism development by providing the much needed welfare facilities for seafarers as well as bolstering the supply of hotel rooms in a key tourism district. The redevelopment can maximise the potential of the site and uphold Hong Kong's status as a major international port and tourist destination."
 
     It is an international common practice for major ports to provide seafarers, who are away from home for prolonged periods at sea, with social and welfare services and onshore facilities that typically include affordable accommodation of reasonable standard and other leisure facilities. In Hong Kong, such support services are provided by the Mission, which is a non-profit organisation incorporated in 1930 under the Sailors Home and Mission to Seafarers Incorporation Ordinance (Cap. 1042).

     The Government today (June 15) announced the Chief Executive's appointment of Mr Maurice Lee Wai-man as the Chairman of the Mental Health Review Tribunal for a term of two years from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2020.
 
     Mr Lee is an experienced solicitor who has been practicing law in Hong Kong for over 30 years. He is currently the Vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Moreover, he has been actively involved in community, cultural and social services for many years.
 
     The Government expressed gratitude to the outgoing Chairman, Mr Lambert Lee Ka-chai, for his valuable contribution to the Tribunal in the past.
 
     The Tribunal comprises a Chairman, 15 medical members, 15 social work members and 15 other members with experience and knowledge of administration or clinical psychology or other suitable qualifications or experience. The membership list of the Tribunal is available at the webpage of the Food and Health Bureau (www.fhb.gov.hk/en/committees/mhrt.htm).
 
     The Tribunal was set up in 1989 pursuant to the enactment of the Mental Health (Amendment) Ordinance. The function of the Tribunal is to consider applications or cases of patients who are liable to be compulsorily detained in mental hospitals or to compulsory guardianship, as well as to determine whether these patients should be discharged in accordance with the Mental Health Ordinance (Cap.136).

The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee:

     The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded "M" Mark status to 2018 CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races which will be held from June 22 to 24.

     The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Karl Kwok, said today (Jun 15) that this event, like all "M" Mark events, will add colour and vibrancy to Hong Kong and help attract more visitors.

     "'M' Mark events showcase Hong Kong's capability to host world-class sports events and reinforce its position as the events capital of Asia," Mr Kwok said.

     "'M' Mark events also help generate economic benefits for Hong Kong by attracting tourists. They also instil a sustainable sporting culture in the community, and help foster a sense of pride and social cohesion," he added.

    The "M" Mark System was launched in 2004 to help local national sports associations organise more major sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be granted "M" Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some of the event organisers.

     The number of recognised "M" Mark events increased from four in 2005 to 13 in 2017. So far, around $117.3 million has been approved to support recognised "M" Mark events.

     For details of other "M" Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk. "M" Mark applications for smartphone users are available for downloading from iTunes as well as Google Play.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) spokesperson today (June 15) said that 12 of its general out-patient clinics (see table below) will provide services in the coming Tuen Ng Festival holiday on Monday (June 18). Members of the public are reminded to make advance booking through the telephone system as usual for an appointment.

      The spokesperson further remarked that the Accident & Emergency (A&E) Departments in public hospitals will also operate as usual during the holiday to serve the patients with urgent medical needs. The established triage system will ensure priority treatment for critical and emergency patients according to their clinical conditions.

     "The queuing time is expected to be longer for semi-urgent and non-urgent patients as there may be more patients attending A&E departments during the holiday," the spokesperson appeals to the public for understanding and cooperation while waiting for consultations. Non-urgent patients are advised to consider seeking consultations at general out-patient clinics, private doctors or the 24-hour clinics of private hospitals.

     To help find the appropriate family medicine doctor and related clinic service of their choice, members of the public are welcome to call the HA Infoline (2882 4866) for information on holiday general out-patient clinic service, or to browse the Primary Care Directory of Department of Health at www.pcdirectory.gov.hk, or download the mobile App of "Primary Care Directory".
 
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Public Holiday Clinics
 

 
Consultation Hours:
9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 15) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Silverstrand Beach, Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.