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17 Nov 2008
Question No: 849
Question
Name of the Person: Dr Lam Pin Min
To ask the Minister for Health (a) if he will provide an update on the utilisation pattern of hospice and palliative services in Singapore; and (b) how will his Ministry make such services more accessible and affordable for terminally ill patients, especially those from low-income families.
Reply
Reply From MOH
1. Last year, about 5,400 patients received hospice and palliative care services. Of these, about 4,200 patients were cared for at home, while 1,200 stayed at inpatient hospices.
2. Hospice care is affordable as it is subsidised by up to 75% of cost for low income patients. Inpatients are able to tap on Medisave to pay for their bills. Medifund is also available for those with additional financial needs. Care is accessible, and no patient who needs hospice care will be turned away.
3. The main obstacle to access is awareness. There is a need for more discussions about death between patients, their families and their doctors. As death is inevitable, everyone should have an end-of-life care plan, including the kind of care that is preferred and share it with the family. For some, this may include signing onto the Advanced Medical Directive.