Why new nursing homes are needed in the West

18 March 2010

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18 Mar 2010, My Paper

Question

Name of the Person: Ms Chua Kim Choo

Spread out locations of new nursing homes

As the population in Singapore ages, more nursing homes will be needed.

A recent report stated that two new nursing homes will be located in Jurong West Street 91 and Bukit Batok Street 51.

But why build two nursing homes in the west?

The facilities may be too far away for many citizens.

Perhaps these facilities should be built more evenly across the island for residents' convenience.

Reply

Name of the Person: Karen Tan (Ms)

Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Health

Ms Chua Kim Choon noted two upcoming nursing homes in the west (Bt Batok and Jurong West) and asked if it was possible to "Spread out locations of new nursing homes" (MyPaper, March 15).

The answer is yes and we have been trying to do so.

Besides the two new nursing homes in the west, there will also be two new nursing homes in the north (Yishun and Sembawang) and a new one in Punggol.

We agree with Ms Chua that nursing homes should be located close to the patients so that their family members can visit them regularly without much hassle.