Janil Puthucheary on managing increasing demands at polyclinics

Singapore’s healthcare system is facing increasing demands, while the completion of new polyclinics has been delayed due to the pandemic. As a result, some polyclinics are seeing greater demand. The Government is putting in place short-term measures. The polyclinics will set aside some slots for walk-in patients with urgent medical needs, as well as for elderly patients, particularly those who are frail and have mobility issues. Non-urgent cases may be given an appointment for another day or advised to seek treatment at nearby Community Health Assist Scheme general practitioner (GP) clinics. The polyclinics will try to leverage telemedicine as much as possible and contract private GPs to help deliver the service. Some polyclinics have already started releasing polyclinic appointments in tranches. However, this does not solve the issue of capacity constraint and may frustrate patients more if they are repeatedly unable to book appointments. Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said this in reply to MPs’ questions in Parliament on Tuesday (Jul 4).