ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL (Geriatric specialization services)

Dr S Vasoo asked the Minister for Health whether there are plans to develop geriatric specialization services at Alexandra Hospital.

The Minister for Health (Mr Lim Hng Kiang): Mr Speaker, Sir, geriatric services have been developed at Alexandra Hospital. The Department of Geriatrics, set up in 1994, provides comprehensive specialised outpatient and inpatient medical care to the elderly. The Geriatric Day Hospital also provides outpatient geriatric assessment and rehabilitation for those who need not be hospitalised. Special focus is given to the more common disabling medical conditions in the elderly, such as stroke management, bone and joint problems, dementia and other mental problems, and continence management. The Department in Alexandra Hospital is also the focal point for various community support services for the elderly in the western sector.

Dr S Vasoo (Tanjong Pagar): Sir, can I ask the Minister, in the light of the neighbourhood greying in the city area, whether there are further plans to develop such a service?

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: We have three regional hospitals - Alexandra Hospital for the western area, Tan Tock Seng Hospital for the central area and Changi General Hospital for the eastern area - to serve the geriatric needs of the people living in these areas. So far, the level and the extent of the services seem to meet the needs of the community, including the various community outreach programmes.

Dr Lily Neo (Kreta-Ayer Tanglin): Sir, may I ask the Minister whether there are enough geriatric departments in our hospitals to service the elderly patients at the moment? And should we not increase and prioritise this area of health care in view of the fast increasing numbers of the elderly in Singapore?

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: Sir, we recognise that Singapore's population is aging. That is why we have set up the three geriatric departments at the three regional hospitals, and we are building up the geriatricians as well as geriatric-trained nurses to meet the needs of the community. We are confident that we can provide the necessary support to the aged in Singapore.