MEDICAL SERVICES IN NORTHERN AND EASTERN PARTS OF SINGAPORE (Provision)

Encik Ibrahim Othman asked the Minister for Health whether there are any plans to provide medical services for people living in the northern and eastern parts of Singapore; and, if so, when are they expected to be implemented.

The Minister of State for Health (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, I will answer on behalf of my Minister.

Hospital services for the people living in the northern and eastern parts of Singapore are currently provided by Changi Hospital, Toa Payoh Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital. In addition, primary health services are provided by six polyclinics, five maternal and child health clinics and six outpatient dispensaries.

The Ministry plans to build a 200-bedded community hospital at Ang Mo Kio. This is expected to be completed by the end of 1988. In addition, the Ministry plans to renovate Toa Payoh and Tan Tock Seng Hospitals and at the same time upgrade a number of the C class beds into B2 class beds for which there is a demand.

The Ministry has set aside sites for the building of new hospitals in Bedok, Woodlands and Hougang. As to when these hospitals will be built will depend upon the demand and the occupancy of beds within the existing hospitals.

The Ministry plans to build one new polyclinic in each of the larger HDB new towns in the northern and eastern sectors, and these are: 1988: Hougang, Tampines. 1989: Yishun, MacPherson. 1990: Woodlands

Each of these polyclinics will provide general outpatient, maternal and child health and school health services as well as rehabilitation and day-care for the elderly.

Encik Ibrahim Othman: Sir, can the Minister inform the House what plans does the Ministry of Health have for the reserved hospital site in Tanah Merah constituency in Bedok?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have just stated, the site has been reserved and the timing for the building of the hospital there will depend upon the demand and the occupancy of the existing hospitals.

Mr S. Vasoo (Bo Wen): Sir, what type of health care will be given through the community hospital?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The community hospitals will not be acute hospitals. Patients who require longer term care, for example, those who are recovering from orthopaedic surgery and who require a lower activity type of care will then be referred there and hospitalized there.