Consolidating Patients' Specialist Care at Single Hospital or Campus

Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in respect of patients holding specialist outpatient appointments at public healthcare institutions (a) how many patients are seen at (i) one (ii) two (iii) three or more different institutions, respectively; and (b) what protocols exist to consolidate such patients' specialist care into a single hospital or campus, where clinically appropriate.

In 2025, about 81% of patients with specialist outpatient appointments were seen at one institution, 17% were seen at two institutions, and 2% were seen at three or more institutions.

Patients may have appointments across different institutions for various reasons. For example, certain specialised services are available only at national centres or the patient may have preferred specialists that are at different institutions. Where clinically appropriate, public healthcare institutions (PHI) coordinate and consolidate patients' care by referring them to a PHI that can meet most or all of their clinical needs.