ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL (Subsidised beds and future development)

Dr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for Health whether the number of subsidised beds in Alexandra Hospital will be reduced and what will be the future developments of the hospital.

The Minister of State for Health (Dr Aline K. Wong) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry will be increasing the number of subsidized beds in Alexandra Hospital (AH) from 315 to 422 when the $18 million upgrading programme for Alexandra Hospital is completed at the end of next year.

The programme includes the upgrading of all the existing wards, the operating theatres, X-ray Department and Intensive Care Units. We will also be providing Class B2 wards which are currently not available in Alexandra Hospital, as well as a day surgery facility and more specialist outpatient consultation rooms.

A special facility to be set up in Alexandra Hospital after the renovations are completed is a Geriatric Centre which will be the first community focal point for providing a comprehensive range of health care services for the elderly in Singapore. The Centre will incorporate:

1. an inpatient Department of Geriatric Medicine with 46 beds;

2. a day hospital providing geriatric assessment and treatment on a day basis;

3. a home support service coordinating the provision of home nursing, home help and transport services;

4. an Independent Living Centre which will simulate the home environment and display various aids and appliances to enable the elderly to be independent;

5. a care liaison service to facilitate placement of the elderly sick into various community and institutional health care facilities; and

6. a health promotion and resource centre for the elderly and their families.

Dr Vasoo: Sir, are there plans to restructure the hospital because the people are concerned and will fees in this hospital remain affordable?

Dr Aline Wong: There are no plans to restructure Alexandra Hospital. This is in accordance with the Review Committee's recommendation that there should be a full range of Government and restructured hospitals and hospitals with participation from the community as well as the privately-run hospitals. The fees at Alexandra Hospital, as in other Government and restructured hospitals, will remain affordable to Singaporeans. But fees will be increased gradually and incrementally in keeping with the rise in health costs.

Dr Toh Keng Kiat (Nominated Member): Sir, will the Paediatrics Department take on teaching activities as well?

Dr Aline Wong: Sir, at present, there are NUS staff in Alexandra Hospital, including in the Department of Paediatrics. In fact, NUS has taken complete responsibility for this department where they do teaching as well as servicing of patients. At the moment, because NUS is not having the full complement of medical staff so some of the Ministry of Health's staff at Alexandra Hospital are helping out in the NUS departments.