REVISION OF HOSPITAL CHARGES

2.40 p.m.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have circulated to Members of the House a Table (Cols. 637 - 640) setting out a revision of hospital charges. The last time when hospital charges were revised was in 1975. It has been five years since the old rates have been in operation. During this time, the costs of maintaining hospitals have gone up, largely due to increases in salary, NWC awards and also to increases in the prices of goods which the hospitals have to purchase. Table - REVISION OF HOSPITAL CHARGES (Cols. 637 - 640)

The Table, in setting out the new hospital charges which we hope to make applicable from 1st April, has been rationalised so that the patient is aware of his contribution to the cost of his stay as an in-patient. The costs that he will have to pay have been divided into ward charge, a medical treatment charge and, thirdly, a diagnostic charge which includes laboratory and X-ray charges.

A new B2 intermediate ward has been created in order to bridge the gap which now exists between the existing B class at $30 per day and the C class at $4 a day. The B2 ward will have six to 10 beds depending on the hospital layout, but all of them will provide greater privacy than C class wards. Initially, B2 beds will be available in Toa Payoh Hospital in April, Kandang Kerbau Hospital in May and in the new Singapore General Hospital building when the wards become operational at the end of this year.

Mr Speaker, Sir, my Statement is open to questions from Members but as we are awaiting the Budget Statement later on in this sitting, may I suggest that if Members wish to raise any point on this matter, they can do so during the debate in the Committee of Supply under the Head of the Ministry of Health.