Cost Benefits of Provision of Home Phlebotomy Services

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Health whether the Ministry has studied (i) the role and provision of home phlebotomy services, for patients with mobility needs who are clinically stable and can be cared for in the community, but who require blood tests and (ii) the estimated savings in transport costs and time for such patients and their caregivers.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Patients with mobility issues who need blood tests can obtain home phlebotomy services from certain Home Medical and Home Nursing providers, public healthcare cluster diagnostic service providers and private laboratories. Such home-based services reduce their need for travelling. The Ministry of Health (MOH) does not track patients' savings on transport costs and time.