Expected Hospital Bed Occupancy Rates over Next Five Years

Mdm Deputy Speaker, based on MOH's modelling, the annual average public hospital Bed Occupancy Rate (BOR) over the next five years would be around 80%.

A sustained BOR of less than 85% in the hospitals is, generally, recommended by academic communities and the healthcare authorities, overseas and here, to ensure patient safety. Sustained BORs above the 85% threshold may increase the risk of poor clinical outcomes due to the reduced access to hospital care.

Based on our experience, operating with a BOR of less than 85% has allowed for hospitals to have sufficient bed capacity to respond to sudden increases in bed demands, for example, during mass casualty situations and pandemics.

While there may be temporary increases over the recommended annual average BOR of 85%, our public healthcare institutions (PHIs) have mitigated the risks by managing patient flows, introducing measures, such as the use of telehealth technologies, to reduce the need for in-person consultations and right-siting care into the community and ambulatory settings.

I thank the Senior Minister of State for his answer. Just one supplementary question. Given that that is the long-term planning parameter – 80% to 85% occupancy – is there a prescribed plan or series of steps from MOH to the hospitals as to what are the contingency plans when this 85% ceiling is breached? For example, setting up augmented facilities within the same building or transferring patients to the private sector, or any other types of steps when that happens.

Madam, yes, there is. There have been for many years and those plans have been activated a number of times, including in the COVID-19 pandemic.