Measures for Early Diagnostics and Treatment to Reduce Need for Hospital Admissions

Ms Sun Xueling asked the Minister for Health what measures has the Ministry taken to encourage early medical diagnostics and treatment to reduce the need to ward patients and free up demand for hospital bed space.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been working with healthcare providers to encourage early diagnostics and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.

First, hospitals provide quick and effective treatment to patients at the Accident and Emergency Department, and enable patients with less serious conditions to return home safely without requiring admission. We have increased the number of procedures which can be done in the outpatient setting or as day surgeries. We are also equipping community care providers to monitor and manage discharged patients, so that they can be cared for in the community without returning to the hospital.

Next, we are strengthening primary care to provide medical diagnosis and treatment to patients closer to home. Many non-emergency conditions can be appropriately managed at a primary care setting supported by early diagnostic testing and treatment. Primary care doctors are also able to treat patients requiring minor procedures. We have introduced common escalation and referral protocols where patients may be directly referred for hospital-based tests to help with diagnosis and management.

Third, we are encouraging more healthy living and disease screening programmes in the community. This facilitates early detection and management of chronic diseases and selected cancers.

Together, these efforts help to improve patient well-being and keep our healthcare system sustainable over the longer term.