CHILD PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE (Particulars)

Dr S. Vasoo asked the Acting Minister for Health if he will indicate (i) the number and the main problems of children who were seen at the Child Psychiatric Clinic in 1985, 1986, 1987 and (ii) some future plans for further improvements to the child psychiatric service.

The Acting Minister for Health (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong): Sir, the Child Psychiatric Clinic attended to 1,327 patients in 1985, 1,478 patients in 1986, and 1,605 patients in 1987.

The three main groups of problems dealt with were, firstly, emotional and behavioural disorders. These accounted for 61% of the cases. Secondly, psychotic illnesses, accounting for 16% of the cases. And, thirdly, mental retardation, including language and learning disorders, which accounted for 14% of the cases.

My Ministry plans to extend the child psychiatric services to some of the polyclinics over the next 2-3 years. This will make the service more readily accessible to the community.

Dr Vasoo: What is the staffing situation in this clinic and would there be plans to integrate the service into the community hospitals which are being planned?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, we have a total of 14 staff that have been allocated to this service. At the present moment they are able to cope quite adequately with the demands. If there is any increase in requirements, we will look into manning the required positions.

Dr Koh Lam Son (Telok Blangah): Sir, has the Minister done any study to find out whether this increase in the number of attendances at the Child Psychiatric Clinic, especially those with emotional disturbances, has anything to do with the children being separated from their natural mothers and put in the care of baby sitters, foster homes and child care centres?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, the Ministry has found no evidence of that. What we believe is that the greater attendances are due to a greater level of awareness from, first, the schools, and secondly, parents, to such behavioural problems which are treatable. The high level of attendances also reflects the greater willingness of parents to bring their children in for treatment and not to be worried by the fact that their children may be stigmatized by the attendances.

Dr Arthur Beng Kian Lam (Fengshan): Are most of these cases referred to the clinic by the teachers, parents or by GPs?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, the schools and our School Health Services account for one-third of the referrals. Our Outpatient Services account for 25% of the referrals, Government hospitals for 10%, and the GPs account for 20% of the referrals.

Mr Chng Hee Kok (Radin Mas): Will the Minister enlighten this House by indicating how many of these cases are actually due to mental or physical abuse at home?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, I do not have the figures for that. But my reading of the cases is that very few of them are the result of abuse.

Dr Vasoo: Sir, the Minister has not answered my other question. I was trying to find out whether he has plans to integrate the service in the community hospitals.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: We have not made a decision on that yet.