NOT REACHED BY 1.30 P.M. TREATMENT AND CHARGES AT THE NATIONAL SKIN CENTRE

Dr S. Vasoo asked the Acting Minister for Health if he will give the number of cases seen at the National Skin Centre since its operation and whether the charges are reasonable to encourage the use of its services.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Up to June 1989, the National Skin Centre (NSC) had seen a total of 74.465 cases. Monthly patient attendance increased from 7,580 in December 1988 to 11,600 in June 1989. The present workload of NSC is about 92% of that in the old Middle Road Hospital (MRH).

Subsidised patients, i.e. those referred by Government doctors, pay an average of $25 per attendance at the NSC, compared to $22 in MRH previously. This includes $15 for the consultation, and $10 for the laboratory investigation, treatment and an average of four weeks of medication. Those who cannot afford to pay have their fees waived.

The number of subsidised attendances has remained fairly stable at about 6,500 per month. About 8% of them are treated free.

Non-subsidised patients pay an average of $53 per attendance. Their numbers have increased steadily from 2,183 in December 1988 to 4,949 in June 1989. This shows that the charges are reasonable and the patients feel that they are getting value for money. table - Average Hospital Bill Size Per Patient Day, Comparative Average Bill Size (Cols. 481 - 482)