Average Waiting Time for Diagnostic Tests in Public Hospitals in Last Three Years and Subsidy Options Available in Private Hospitals

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health (a) for the past three years, what is the annual number of patients who have waited for more than five months for a subsidised diagnostic test, such as colonoscopy and heart scan; (b) whether polyclinics can refer patients directly to national specialist centres within their cluster to conduct such tests; and (c) whether there are other options available for a subsidised diagnostic test if there is a backlog at any Government hospital.

For colonoscopy, the median time to the investigation was approximately 38 days in 2021, an increase from about 31 days in 2019. Based on available data from our hospitals, over the past three years, an average of six subsidised patients per hospital each year waited more than five months for a first appointment for colonoscopy. For transthoracic echocardiogram, an average of 130 patients per hospital, per year, waited more than five months for a first appointment for the scan. These patients constitute fewer than 3% of the total patients who had undergone the scan. In these cases, these patients were mostly already seen by the specialist, who then ordered these investigations based on their clinical indications. Patients assessed to have higher risks or significant symptoms are prioritised with fast-tracked appointments, as clinically indicated. Earlier alternative investigations are also offered, if clinically appropriate.

Integrated Shield Plans (IP), generally do not cover cancer screening at both public and private hospitals, as no hospitalisation is required and these are neither a treatment nor an illness. There are other ways in which diagnostic tests are subsidised and made affordable.

All polyclinics can refer patients to public hospitals and national specialist centres, including those not within their cluster, for subsidised care which includes subsidised tests, as prescribed by the specialist. Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) general practitioner clinics can also refer CHAS cardholders for subsidised care at public hospitals. Additionally, to reduce the waiting time for patients requiring investigations, such as oesophagogastro-duodenoscopy (OGD) and selected cardiac tests, all polyclinics can refer eligible patients directly for such tests at the public hospitals without needing a first Specialist Outpatient Clinic (SOC) consultation.