SINGAPORE GENERAL HOSPITAL (Implementation of C Class facilities)

Dr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the latest progress on the implementation of C Class facilities in Singapore General Hospital.

The Minister of State for Health (Dr Aline K. Wong) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am replying on behalf of my Minister.

The first 40 C Class beds in Ward 64 were opened on 20th October 1990. Another 116 beds in Ward 63 were opened on 10th December 1990, giving SGH a total of 156 Class C beds.

Dr S. Vasoo (Tiong Bahru GRC): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have two supplementary questions. Are the services of specialists accessible to C Class patients, and what steps have been taken to inform patients about hospital charges before their admission?

Dr Aline Wong: Mr Speaker, Sir, the services of specialists are available equally to Class C and the subsidized patients in Class B2 wards. Upon admission, each patient will be reviewed by the consultant in charge of the unit, and then a specialist will be assigned to the patient according to the complexity of the case.

As for the second question, Sir, the normal procedure is that when a patient is admitted, he will be given information on the range of charges at the Government and restructured hospitals by the counter clerk and, in addition, a pamphlet which publicises these charges and the range of facilities is made available also at the counter.

Mr Choo Wee Khiang (Marine Parade GRC): Has the Ministry any plans to enlarge the size of Class C wards in future, in view of the expected overwhelming response from patients to get into Class C wards in SGH?

Dr Aline Wong: Mr Speaker, Sir, at the moment, there are no plans to expand these two wards yet. The occupancy rates for all classes of beds at SGH are quite full.