PUBLIC SECTOR DOCTORS

Dr Lily Neo asked the Minister for Health (a) how many public sector doctors have been allowed to practise in the private sector; (b) what will be the number of doctors allowed to practise in the private sector each year; and (c) how does his Ministry ensure that the care of subsidized patients will not be compromised.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: By and large, our current health care system maintains a clear demarcation between public and private sector medical practices. There is scope for greater public-private sector collaboration to improve the quality and accessibility of care for both subsidised and private patients.

My Ministry has given public sector hospitals the flexibility to allow their doctors to practise in the private sector for part of their time. This is aimed at retaining doctors who would otherwise opt to leave completely for the private sector. They will then continue to contribute to the care of subsidised patients as well as to teaching. Subsidised patients benefit from the retention of their skills and expertise.

Public sector hospitals already have a Visiting Consultants Scheme where private sector specialists appointed as visiting consultants can see patients in public sector hospitals. There is scope for the public sector hospitals to interest more private sector doctors to take up part-time work in the public sector. These doctors could be given remuneration and terms tailored to the amount of time and effort they commit to patient care, teaching and research in the public sector hospitals. In this way, we can foster greater public-private sector collaboration in administering patient care and this will benefit Singaporeans.

My Ministry has left it to the two clusters to decide whether they wish to implement the private practice scheme, and they are considering it. If implemented, they can set the terms to best suit their requirements, including the number of doctors to be allowed on the scheme. They will have to assure my Ministry that the needs of subsidised patients are met. My Ministry will be monitoring them in various ways, including time set aside by these doctors for subsidised care and teaching, clinical performance measures and non-clinical indicators such as waiting times to ensure that care for subsidised patients is not compromised.