RESTRUCTURED HOSPITALS (Position of pensionable nursing staff)

Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Acting Minister for Health (a) how many pensionable nursing staff have opted not to join the restructured hospitals; (b) what will be the position of these nursing staff after all the hospitals have been restructured by 1994; and (c) whether he is aware of the anxiety faced by these nursing staff over their uncertain future and promotion prospects and what he proposes to do.

The Acting Minister for Health (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong): Mr Speaker, Sir, a total of 325 pensionable nursing staff have opted not to join the restructured hospitals, namely, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Toa Payoh and Kandang Kerbau Hospitals. This represents 51% of the total pensionable nursing staff in these institutions.

My officials have been briefing and explaining to these staff on the advantages of joining the restructured hospitals and have been encouraging them to do so. They are also allowed to continue working in the restructured hospitals for a year before coming to a final decision.

My Ministry will make every effort to post those who prefer to remain in Government service to the remaining Ministry hospitals and institutions. They may also be posted to other Ministries which have vacancies for nursing staff. My Ministry will also look into ways to retrain these nurses for redeployment to other areas of health care within the Ministry.

It is inevitable that with the restructuring of our general hospitals, except for Alexandra, Changi and Woodbridge Hospitals, the number of posts available to absorb these staff will be limited. Similarly, with the reduction in number of posts the number of promotional posts will also be reduced.

Mr Choo Wee Khiang (Marine Parade GRC): Sir, may I ask the Acting Minister what steps the Ministry of Health will take after all the hospitals have been restructured as far as the pensionable nurses are concerned?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: I have already explained that we will try to retrain and redeploy them.

Mr Yeo Toon Chia: Sir, there seems to be a good number of nurses who are worried that after joining the restructured hospitals they will not enjoy the medical entitlement benefits. Will the Minister enlighten the House?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, the restructured hospitals have offered subsidised medical care and benefits after retirement to officers and nurses who satisfy the following conditions. Firstly, the nurses must have had 10 years of pensionable service with the Government before joining the restructured hospitals; secondly, they have opted on the ex gratia award scheme; and thirdly, they will continue working in the hospital until the age of 60 years.

Dr Aline K. Wong (Tampines GRC): Sir, would the Minister tell us whether for the nurses who opt to stay in the Government service after all the hospitals have been restructured, would there be enough other kinds of posts for their redeployment so that they can still continue within the Government sector?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: As Tan Tock Seng Hospital has yet to be restructured and depending on the number of nurses who will be opting to join the restructured Tan Tock Seng Hospital we are not too sure, as to whether we will have the total number of vacancies that will be available to absorb those who opt not to join the restructured hospitals.