Conducting Emergency and Critical Medical Evaluation and Diagnostic Tests during Weekends and Public Holidays and Instituting Baseline Level of Diagnostic Capacity

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Health (a) what are the conditions required for hospitals to conduct emergency and critical medical evaluation and diagnostic tests, such as radiology tests, during the weekends and public holidays; and (b) whether a baseline level of diagnostic capacity as percentage of weekday capacity can be instituted such that patients are not made to bear the risk of further deterioration in their medical condition and further costs of admission while awaiting medical evaluation.

All public acute hospitals are required to provide emergency services, including relevant diagnostic tests such as laboratory and radiological tests round the clock, including weekends and public holidays. These tests are operated by healthcare professionals on duty. All public hospitals also have designated X-ray machines and CT scans at the Emergency Department (ED). Ultrasound machines are also available and can be used by the ED doctor when necessary. The appropriate diagnostic tests will form part of the care assessment by the attending hospital doctor when the patient presents with their medical condition.

MOH will continue to work with public hospitals to ensure that patients have timely access to diagnostic services.