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Do all to make patients comfortable: Minister Gan to hospitals

Amid an on-going bed crunch, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong has instructed all public hospitals to make patients feel comfortable and ensure their safety while they are being treated.

Patients at a Class C ward at a hospital on Jan 7, 2008. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong

Patients at a Class C ward at a hospital on Jan 7, 2008. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong

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Amid an on-going bed crunch, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong has instructed all public hospitals to make patients feel comfortable and ensure their safety while they are being treated.

The Straits Times had reported today (Jan 8) that hospitals here are facing a severe crunch, with some resorting to using tents and renting space from the private sector.

Mr Gan responded in a statement today, saying that new hospitals, community hospitals and nursing homes which are already planned for would take time to build.

“Right now, we are actively working to tackle the current crunch in a few public hospitals, such as tapping on available bed capacity in other public hospitals, as well as facilitating the timely discharge of patients to available beds in the community hospitals, or with the help of homecare providers,” he said.

“I understand the discomfort and inconvenience faced by patients, and I have instructed hospitals to do everything possible to make them feel comfortable and ensure their safety while they are being treated in the hospitals.”

The Ministry of Health (MOH) today also highlighted some factors for the bed crunch, such as an increased demand due to the ageing population.

A MOH spokesman said: “Demand for services has also increased with shrinking family size and weaker home support. Elderly patients need good support post discharge and discharge out of hospitals may be delayed if their caregivers are unable to cope and care for them at home. This results in a longer length of stay and intensifies the bed crunch.”

It listed a slew of measures it has undertaken to combat the problem, such as adding over 1,200 beds this year, across the acute, intermediate and long term care sectors.

Partnering with the private sector is also another solution, said the Ministry. Changi General Hospital is launching a partnership with private General Practitioners in the eastern region to attend to patients who may not need to go to the Accident & Emergency department, while community hospitals are taking in patients who do not need acute care.

Hospitals are also shifting to home-based care, which will reduce the need for stays in hospitals. According to MOH, several hospitals have started transitional care, with teams to help patients manage the conditions after discharge, so that they do not deteriorate and get re-admitted again.

For those who lack support, said the spokesman, the hospitals also refer them to ‘interim caregivers’ who can provide ‘comprehensive personal care’ after discharge.

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