TAI PO AND NORTH DISTRICT Programme of Support for Discharged Elder Patients of NDH 16.22 This programme was a community-medical-social collaboration for the elders discharged from North District Hospital. It was launched by the Medical Social Services Unit/North District Hospital of the Social Welfare Department (SWD), HKYWCA Ellen Li District Elderly Community Centre, and the Health Resource Centre of North District Hospital in May 2009 with the sponsorship from North District Council. The main purpose of the programme was to consolidate local resources of elderly services centres and their volunteers to provide immediate support for discharged elder patients who lacked social support, or suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The support and care from volunteers helped to enhance the self-care ability of the elders and reduce their frequency of emergency re-admission to hospital and to a certain extent, reduce the pressure on medical facilities. In addition, the care of the volunteers also promoted the spirit of mutual help in the district, and enhanced community harmony. This programme had served more than 120 discharged elders in need in the past two years and was found effective in reducing unplanned hospital re-admission.   Prevention of Youth Suicide 16.23 Several youth suicide incidents took place in Tin Ping Estate, Sheung Shui from May to September in 2010. The Sheung Shui Integrated Family Service Centre rendered outreaching services to the concerned families and joined hands with local leaders and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in organising two debriefing sessions for the local residents. Two NGOs were invited with funding support to organise programmes in promotion of positive living and enhancement of the resilience of young people residing in the estate and the vicinity.     16.24 With a view to developing a more effective mechanism in tackling youth suicide problem, SWD had supported the Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, the University of Hong Kong to secure funding from the Lotteries Fund to launch a three-year project - “Project on Community-based Intervention to Suicide Clusters” in 2011. The Project had chosen Ting Ping Estate, Sheung Shui as the base for research and implementation of the project. If the outcome was favourable, the intervention mode would be recommended for use in other districts. Emergency Support for Victims of the Severe Flood at Sha Po Chai Village, Tai Po 16.25 Sha Po Chai Village, Tai Po, encountered severe flooding during the black rainstorm on 22 July 2010, with over 200 affected residents. The Tai Po and North District Social Welfare Office (TP/NDSWO) and Emergency Relief Unit of the SWD worked together with government departments concerned in providing emergency relief service for the affected households. TP/NDSWO continued arranging staff to station at the inter-departmental emergency support station located at Sha Po Tsai Village and the Emergency Relief Centre at Tai Po Community Centre to provide immediate support for the affected households over a week’s period.     16.26 To assist the victims in tiding over the crisis and immediate hardship arising from the flood, TP/NDSWO liaised with The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for arrangement of Emergency Relief Fund for each affected household. The total amount allocated was $1.96 million.