Addressing evolving needs of care facilities

Participants at the Selangor State Care Centre and Nurseries Guidelines for Improvement Workshop held in Shah Alam. — KK SHAM/The Star

Selangor government held a Care Centre Guidelines Improvement Workshop to address the evolving needs of care facilities and aligning their operations with urban development.

“The workshop aims to identify the current needs of care centres, nursing homes and nurseries as well as to improve existing guidelines related to such facilities,” said Special Committee for Improvements of Care Services (JKPPP) chairman Michelle Ng after launching the workshop in Shah Alam.

Ng chairs the Special Committee for Improvements of Care Services.

For example, she said, a care centre was allowed to operate in Petaling Jaya where there were 200 households or a population of 1,000 but that ratio does not apply in reality today.

The Subang Jaya assemblyman said with more people from neighbouring districts accessing the nearest or most convenient care facilities, rules needed to be adjusted to accommodate the numbers.

“There is also a discussion on whether there should be a certain radius allowance for the proximity of care centres and nursing homes to hospitals,” she said.

Ng added that the workshop would help prioritise proactive and forward-thinking approaches to ensure the state’s care centres, nursing homes and assisted living facilities operate at the highest standards.

Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation president Datin Paduka Khatijah Sulaiman said care centres often chose to be located near hospitals for strategic reasons.

“This move prioritises residents’ well-being by ensuring easier access to medical care, emergency response and appointments.

“Proximity can be crucial for timely responses to health situations, facilitating follow-up appointments and providing peace of mind for families who leave their parents or children at the care centres,” said Khatijah, who was one of the workshop’s attendees.

JKPPP has been entrusted to review, assess and improve laws related to care services for children, the elderly and persons with disabilities in Selangor.

Ng said a survey was carried out, in April, involving care centres and nursing homes to get feedback on improving existing guidelines and regulations in the care industry.

The committee comprises representatives from the Local Authorities Section and Sectoral Section of Selangor State Economic Planning Unit, Selangor Legal Advisor, Selangor Welfare Department, Selangor Health Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Selangor Town and Country Planning Department (PlanMalaysia) as well as local authorities.