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9 July 2012
Question No. 214
Name of person: Mr Seah Kian Peng
To ask the Minister for Health (a) apart from polyclinics, what other avenues are there to provide primary healthcare to Singaporeans; and (b) what is the status of the roll-out plans for the Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs).
Answer
1 Besides the 18 polyclinics, primary healthcare is provided by over 1,400 private medical clinics, distributed across the island. Approximately 81% of the national primary care services are delivered by private doctors. With the introduction of the Community Health Assist Scheme, Singaporeans who are above the age of 40 years and have per-capita monthly household income of up to $1,500 would benefit from subsidised primary healthcare services at any of the 493 participating private medical and 252 dental clinics. This will enable eligible patients to have accessible and affordable primary care in their neighbourhood.
2 With an ageing population and increased prevalence of chronic diseases, there is a need to deliver more comprehensive care through multidisciplinary teams. MOH has worked with various stakeholders to develop a Primary Care Masterplan to enhance the accessibility, affordability and quality of primary care services for Singaporeans, including the introduction of new models such as Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs). These FMCs are managed by a group of GPs working together with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive team-based care for patients with chronic disease. MOH will also develop more neighbourhood Community Health Centres (CHCs) which will provide supporting services (like diabetic retinal photography and allied health services) to patients cared for by private medical practitioners.
3 We plan for four FMCs and three CHCs to be established this year. The FMCs and CHCs will be located in the central, eastern and western parts of Singapore. Some of the FMCs are in an advance stage of planning and discussion with our RHS on collaboration in managing our patients with chronic diseases. More details will be announced when ready. MOH is grateful to the many primary care physicians who have given advice on ways to enhance the primary care services in Singapore.