Average Wait Time for Medication to be Dispensed to Newly Admitted Patients at Public Hospitals

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the average wait time for medication to be dispensed to newly admitted patients at public hospitals; (b) how does this compare with the average wait time in the past five years; (c) whether senior nurses are empowered to provide painkillers that are available over the counter to newly admitted patients at public hospitals rather than relying on doctors; and (d) if not, why not.

We do not track the time taken for medications to be dispensed to newly admitted patients at public hospitals. Patients will be triaged and managed by healthcare staff in a timely manner, according to the urgency of their conditions. Medications will be dispensed and administered expeditiously, after the doctors have reviewed and assessed the patients and sent the medication orders.

This first assessment by a doctor is important to establish present diagnoses as well as medical history of newly admitted patients, taking into account existing medications, allergies, potential side effects and drug interactions before prescribing appropriate medications as part of the treatment plan. Working in collaboration with doctors, trained Advanced Practice Nurses who are certified collaborative prescribers are empowered to prescribe medications for the patients within their care.