Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

18 Sep 2023

Waiting Time for New Case Referrals from Schools to Response, Early Intervention and Assessment in Community Mental Health Teams

The waiting time for new REACH referrals from schools varies by severity, with urgent cases seen within 24 hours and less severe cases waiting between 17 and 31 days.
The Ministry of Health collaborates with healthcare clusters to review and ensure adequate resources for REACH teams to support students' mental health needs.
REACH services are available to full-time madrasahs, which received an average of about 10 referrals per year over the last three years.

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18 Sep 2023

Probe into Doctor who Paid Ambulance Services to Divert Patients to Him, Resulting in Delayed Treatment and Death of a Patient

Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo asked the Ministry of Health to investigate a doctor who paid ambulance services to divert patients to his clinic, which led to delayed treatment and a patient's death, and questioned whether such referral fees are a widespread practice.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung confirmed that the specific case has been under investigation by the Singapore Medical Council for professional misconduct since August 2021 following complaints.
The Ministry stated there are no other reported cases of doctors making gratuitous payments to private ambulance operators for patient referrals.
The Singapore Medical Council’s Ethical Code prohibits fee-splitting and any payments for referrals, emphasizing that doctors must act in patients' best interests.
Breaches of these guidelines can lead to disciplinary action, including removal from the professional register.

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18 Sep 2023

General Practitioner Sign-up Rate to Healthier SG

More than 954,000 SMS invitations have been sent and over 310,000 residents have enrolled in Healthier SG since July 2023.
Approximately 75% of about 1,300 CHAS GP clinics have signed up, with capacity to manage enrolled residents beyond their daily workload.
Incentives such as IT grants and tiered annual service fees based on care level are provided to encourage GP participation.
The Ministry plans to continue outreach efforts to encourage more GPs to join the programme.
The current number of participating GPs is considered sufficient to meet healthcare demand in their estates.

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3 Aug 2023

Initiatives to Encourage Employers to Provide Mental Health Support in Workplace

The Ministry of Manpower, together with Tripartite Partners and stakeholders, has developed practical resources like the Tripartite Advisory and a Playbook to guide employers on implementing mental well-being initiatives, including plug-and-play templates.
Programmes are offered by the Workplace Safety and Health Council and Health Promotion Board to support employers, such as free consultant advice and workshops under the Total WSH Programme and the Workplace Outreach Wellness package.
The National WSH CARE Award annually recognizes organizations with exemplary mental well-being practices to promote them as employers of choice.
The Ministry currently does not plan to introduce mandatory mental health awareness and training programmes for employers and managers.

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3 Aug 2023

Target Waiting Time for Initial Appointments to See Psychiatrists and Psychologists at Public Health Institutions

MP He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Health about target waiting times for initial psychiatrist and psychologist appointments at public institutions.
Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that hospitals use a triage system based on urgency, making fixed waiting time targets impractical.
He added that, based on 2022 data, 95% of subsidized patients received initial psychiatrist appointments within three months.

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3 Aug 2023

Mental Health Support for Elderly Population To Prevent Suicides

Dr Wan Rizal and Mr Yip Hon Weng raised concerns about rising suicide rates among the elderly, specifically asking about additional mental health measures, addressing social isolation, suicide risk indicators, and the role of Active Ageing Centres and Silver Generation Office, as well as dialect suicide hotlines.
Minister Ong Ye Kung indicated that these questions had already been addressed in a prior parliamentary reply from August 2023.
The debate highlighted the need for targeted support for seniors, including mental health services, social connectivity, and culturally sensitive resources like dialect hotlines.

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3 Aug 2023

Support Available for Youths Diagnosed with Chronic Diseases

Tan Wu Meng sought data on youths with chronic diseases and details on support for young people entering the workforce with limited savings.
Ong Ye Kung reported that 1% of young adults aged 18–35 had chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidaemia based on the 2021 survey.
He outlined support options including subsidies at CHAS clinics, polyclinics, and specialist outpatient clinics, with MediSave and MediFund available for those in need.
He emphasized that no one would lose access to care due to financial constraints, with various subsidies and safety nets in place.

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3 Aug 2023

Steps Taken to Increase Mental Health Literacy and Support in Schools and Higher Education Institutions

The Ministry of Education has integrated mental health education into the refreshed Character and Citizenship Education curriculum from primary to pre-university levels, with Institutes of Higher Learning offering modules and workshops to equip students with skills like emotional regulation.
Educators are trained to recognise signs of distress and common mental illnesses, provide early support, and refer students to counsellors or external resources as needed.
These efforts aim to increase mental health literacy and build resilience among students, addressing suicide as a leading cause of death for those aged 10 to 29.

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3 Aug 2023

Proposal for Additional Healthcare and Other Benefits for Those in Post-Merdeka Generation

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked if there are plans to define a "post-Merdeka Generation" of those born in the 1960s approaching retirement age to receive additional public benefits, especially in healthcare.
Lawrence Wong stated that the Ministry's position remains unchanged from a previous reply to a similar parliamentary question on 20 March 2023.
The response referenced an official report detailing benefits packages for seniors born after the Merdeka Generation.
No new plans to create a defined post-Merdeka Generation category with additional benefits were indicated.
The debate highlights ongoing concerns about healthcare and support for seniors born after the Merdeka Generation.

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3 Aug 2023

Reviewing Current Practice of Refusing Coverage under CPF Dependants’ Protection Scheme for Persons with Certain Genetic Disorders

Murali Pillai questioned whether the CPF Board would reconsider its policy of denying Dependants’ Protection Scheme coverage to individuals with certain genetic disorders, such as Down Syndrome.
The Ministry of Manpower clarified that DPS does cover pre-existing conditions, including genetic disorders, if medical professionals deem the overall health condition mild or moderate.
Coverage may be withheld for severe pre-existing illnesses, as with standard life insurance, to keep premiums affordable and ensure the scheme’s sustainability.

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3 Aug 2023

Men Above 55 Who Have Sought Mental Health Support from General Practitioners or Community Intervention Teams

The Ministry of Health reported that approximately 15% of the 47,000 clients supported over three years by community intervention teams and general practitioners were men aged 55 and above who sought mental health support.
Community Outreach Teams and Community Intervention Teams were established with the Agency for Integrated Care and Social Service Agencies to provide care for individuals with mental health needs.
Service providers and polyclinics monitor client progress through pre- and post-intervention assessments to track the effectiveness of the support given.

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3 Aug 2023

Increased Hiring of Administrative and Support Healthcare Employees

Louis Ng asked whether there will be a corresponding increase in hiring administrative and support healthcare employees alongside the exceedance of the 4,000 new nurses target by end-2023.
Ong Ye Kung emphasized that administrative and support staff are essential, with a goal to grow the total healthcare workforce including these roles to 82,000 by 2030.
There has been a corresponding increase in hiring administrative and support staff, with over 3,000 such hires in the first half of the year by public healthcare clusters.
The Ministry of Health will continue to work with public healthcare clusters to build the capacity and capabilities of administrative and support staff to better attract and retain them.

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3 Aug 2023

Health and Wellness Modules in Institutes of Higher Learning

Dr Wan Rizal proposed mandating health and wellness modules in institutes of higher learning, citing recent research on the economic and societal impact of anxiety and depression among young adults.
The Ministry of Education currently implements a mandatory mental wellness literacy curriculum for first-year polytechnic and ITE students, which has received positive feedback for improving awareness and coping strategies.
Autonomous universities also offer various mental health programmes, including resilience and stress management modules, alongside a broader ecosystem of support involving educators, peer leaders, and counsellors for early detection and assistance.

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3 Aug 2023

Identifying Mental Distress and Stressors in Migrant Domestic Workers

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires first-time employers to attend the Employers’ Orientation Programme, which educates them on their responsibilities, including being patient and understanding towards their migrant domestic workers (MDWs).
MOM provides a mental well-being guide for employers, shares information on stress signs and healthy habits, and promotes helplines from MOM and NGOs to support MDWs in distress.
MOM collaborates with the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) to interview first-time MDWs within six months of employment, facilitating communication and amicable resolution of issues between employers and workers.
MOM also educates MDWs through the Settling-in Programme and outreach materials to help them manage stress and communicate effectively with their employers.

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3 Aug 2023

Addressing Rise in Suicide Cases and Making Mental Healthcare Assistance Readily Accessible

The Senior Minister of State for Health outlined multiple initiatives to build mental resilience and provide support, including national campaigns, school-based programs, community support groups, and crisis helplines, many of which are free of charge.
The Interagency Taskforce on Mental Health and Well-Being is actively reviewing and enhancing the accessibility and quality of mental health services, exploring ways to reduce barriers like stigma and increase the availability of professionals.
Mr. Vikram Nair questioned whether analysis was done on suicide victims' prior help-seeking behavior and suggested making mental health care as accessible as general practitioner visits, potentially through schemes like CHAS.
Dr. Janil Puthucheary confirmed that post-suicide analysis is conducted and acknowledged that many victims had not sought help beforehand, noting that the Taskforce is considering approaches to expand access to counsellors and psychologists.
The debate emphasized the need for a collective societal effort to reduce stigma and foster a supportive environment for mental health, with ongoing efforts to integrate mental wellness into community and national frameworks.

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2 Aug 2023

Measures to Address Public Health Impact of Loneliness among Seniors

The Ministry of Health is enhancing the aged care system to address loneliness among seniors by promoting social connectedness as a key health determinant through outreach by the Silver Generation Office and activities at Active Ageing Centres.
Efforts involve a multi-stakeholder community approach, including partnerships with the People’s Association, grassroots organizations, SG Cares Volunteer Centres, and healthcare clusters to combat social isolation.
The Ministry aims to create a supportive environment to reduce stigma and ensure seniors feel encouraged to seek assistance, though specific anti-stigma measures are not detailed in the response.
Existing initiatives like Active Ageing Centres are positioned to reach seniors, including those living with family but experiencing loneliness, by serving as community hubs for social support networks.

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2 Aug 2023

Measures to Address Rising Suicide Rates Among Young People and Strategies to Improve Mental Health Support

Hazel Poa and Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Health to outline measures to address rising suicide rates, especially among young people, and strategies to improve mental health support for those aged 20 to 29.
Ong Ye Kung acknowledged the tragic and complex nature of suicide and stated that interventions focus on building resilience, encouraging help-seeking, early crisis detection, and multi-stakeholder support.
The Minister confirmed that a holistic reply on these matters would be provided in the next parliamentary sitting, referencing a prior official report on making mental healthcare assistance accessible.

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2 Aug 2023

Incidence of People Refusing Conveyance to Hospitals via SCDF Ambulances

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the increasing refusal of conveyance to hospitals via SCDF ambulances and sought a study on reasons and health impacts, as well as solutions to reduce such incidents.
K Shanmugam noted that refusal rates have remained at 10% to 12% of total EMS calls over five years, increasing in line with overall call volumes, but SCDF does not track refusal reasons due to patient autonomy and informed consent principles.
SCDF respects patients’ right to refuse conveyance unless deemed mentally incapacitated, counsels them on medical risks, involves family when possible, and advises seeking alternative medical care or calling 995 again if needed.

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2 Aug 2023

Measures to Address Findings in Auditor-General's Thematic Audit on Key COVID-19 Grant Schemes in Report for FY2022/2023

Mr Don Wee asked whether the findings from the Auditor-General's thematic audit on key COVID-19 grant schemes would be addressed and operationalized to ensure swift government response in future crises.
The Deputy Prime Minister confirmed that agencies have taken steps to address the audit findings and incorporated the learning points into operational plans and procedures.
The government emphasized that while the COVID-19 grant schemes were well-designed with necessary controls, future crises may differ, requiring agencies to remain agile and adaptable.
The government acknowledged the need to balance speed and control in crisis response, as noted in the audit, to maintain effectiveness in future emergencies.
The overall approach includes learning from past audits while preparing for unspecified future crises through flexible and nimble procedures.

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2 Aug 2023

Collaborating with Ministry of Education to Introduce and Adopt Healthier SG in Schools and Institutes of Higher Learning

Dr Wan Rizal proposed that the Healthier SG initiative be extended to schools and Institutes of Higher Learning through collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
The Ministry of Health responded affirmatively, confirming that the initiative will be rolled out upstream in preschools and schools.
The Ministries of Health, Education, and Social and Family Development will jointly implement preventive care strategies to instill lifelong health habits in the young.
Research indicates that youth habits in eating, sleep, and device usage significantly impact long-term health and development.
Further details on the programme will be shared by the ministries when the plans are finalized.

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