Data on Elective Admissions of Singaporean and Foreign Patients into Hospitals since January 2022

Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Health (a) for each month since January 2022, what percentage of hospital admissions are elective admissions of Singaporean and foreign patients respectively; and (b) what are the policies relating to deferring elective admissions when hospital bed occupancy rates exceed 85%.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: For 2022, elective admissions form around 23% of total hospital admissions in the public hospitals. In general, the proportion of non-resident foreigners 1 who are admitted to our public hospitals constitutes less than 0.5% of total admissions.

To manage bed capacities better, especially when the public hospitals anticipate a surge in emergency admissions, hospitals may temporarily defer non-urgent electives. Patients requiring urgent medical care, including those requiring urgent elective procedures, will still be prioritised for admission.

Note(s) to Question No(s) 18:

1 Excludes Work Permit/pass holders, dependant pass holders and foreign students.