Debated in Parliament on 9 Sep 2026.
Mr Gabriel Lam asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry has projected Singapore's requirements for nursing home beds, community hospitals, day rehabilitation, home care and respite care through 2035, taking into account the projected increase in seniors requiring assistance and the declining availability of family caregivers; and (b) are there specific areas where the Ministry expects capacity shortfalls.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) plans and develops care capacity across the range of intermediate and long-term care services based on projected demand. These projections take into account factors, such as demographic changes, seniors' care needs and the availability of family support, and how care can increasingly be delivered in the community and at home.
MOH regularly reviews these projections and our capacity plans over the medium to long term, including towards 2035. We plan across nursing homes, community hospitals, day rehabilitation, home care and respite care as an interconnected system, rather than considering each service in isolation, as seniors' care needs and preferences may change over time.
We will continue to ensure overall capacity keeps pace with projected needs. However, given land and manpower constraints, we cannot simply rely on expanding physical capacity to meet every increase in demand. Nor would institutional care always be the best outcome for seniors.
We therefore take a multi-pronged approach. First, we are helping Singaporeans stay healthier for longer through initiatives, such as Healthier SG and Age Well SG. Second, we are strengthening community-based and home-based care so that seniors can continue living at home for as long as possible, with appropriate support for their caregivers. Third, we are building a stronger community care workforce and investing in more efficient care models and productivity measures.
PAPERCUTS