THOMSON ROAD GENERAL HOSPITAL (Extension of boundary to serve Jalan Kayu)

Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for Health whether he will consider extending the boundary of the area served by the Thomson Road General Hospital to include the Constituency of Jalan Kayu in view of its nearness to that Hospital.

The Minister for Health (Mr Chua Sian Chin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the area served by the Thomson Road General Hospital is periodically reviewed. Extension of the boundaries served by the hospital by taking in other constituencies, such as Jalan Kayu, will certainly be considered. But it is regretted that extension of the area served by the hospital cannot be accepted now. The hospital is relatively new and its facilities have been only gradually increased. It would be unwise if it attempts to take in a much larger area than it could properly deal with. It is better to start off with a smaller area and when staff and other facilities are increased, it can then expand its services to a wider area.

The area served by the hospital itself is rapidly developing. The satellite town of Toa Payoh alone will have around 250,000 persons. A population of this size will sorely tax the hospital which has a total capacity of only 396 beds. The addition of other constituencies within its responsibilities will probably overwhelm it.

If the demand for Jalan Kayu is to be met by the Thomson Road General Hospital, the other constituencies such as Nee Soon, Serangoon Gardens and Thomson which are closer and intervene between Jalan Kayu and the hospital would also have to be entertained. It is for this reason that it would not be prudent at this stage to consider extending the areas served by Thomson Road General Hospital to include the constituency of Jalan Kayu.