Private Ambulance Providers' Response Time and Training and Qualifications Required Compared to SCDF Personnel

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the average response time for private ambulance providers to reach a patient's location; (b) whether private ambulance providers are required to obtain the same standard of training qualifications and expertise as compared to SCDF ambulance personnel; and (c) under what circumstances in a medical emergency will private ambulance providers advise a patient or their family to call for an SCDF ambulance.

While the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) ambulances are activated for life-threatening medical emergencies by calling 995, private ambulances are activated for less urgent cases. Hence, Ministry of Health does not track response times for private ambulance providers arriving at the patients' locations.

That said, we regulate private ambulance services, which must, at all times, maintain valid certification, undergo periodic re-certification every two years as well as ensure that their personnel are properly qualified and attend regular skills refresher training.

Importantly, licensed ambulance providers are required to properly triage a patient before conveyance. Where the provider assesses that it cannot safely convey the patient, the provider must make appropriate alternative arrangements, such as calling for an SCDF ambulance, for the safe and timely conveyance of the patient. In the event of a life-threatening medical emergency, the public should call for an SCDF ambulance in the first instance.