Planned Capacity for Mental Health Specialist

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2641 
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 7 MARCH 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin
MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC

Question No. 5837

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the planned capacity increase for patients seeking mental health specialist care by 2030 at (i) IMH and (ii) Alexandra Hospital; and (b) what steps will be taken to support the necessary resources required.

Answer

1      Alexandra Hospital will provide outpatient and inpatient mental health specialist services,  including 70 acute beds for psychiatric care and rehabilitation. The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) has recently refurbished 11 acute psychiatric wards to enhance inpatient care and will be expanding its capacity to meet future demand.

2      To support the increase in demand for mental health services, the Government is planning a 30% increase in the number of psychiatrists and a 40% increase in the number of healthcare workers training in psychology by 2030.  The Government will also expand mental health services in the primary and community settings to support the National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy.