MOH unveils plans for new hospital, youth mental health service and sites for two new polyclinics

SINGAPORE — To cater to the growing healthcare needs of Singaporeans, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Thursday (March 5) that it will expand its infrastructure to include a new hospital in the east, and launch a mental health service for youths.

During a debate on the ministry’s budget, Members of Parliament were also told that plans to expand the total number of polyclinics across the island to 32 by 2030 are on track and that MOH will do so by building 12 more polyclinics.

Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health, announced that these 12 polyclinics will include two new locations in Bishan and Bidadari, both of which are expected to be completed by 2030.

MOH added that the first phase of Alexandra Hospital’s redevelopment is also scheduled to be completed that year.

Here is a summary of the announcements:

NEW HOSPITAL TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF AGEING POPULATION

Why: Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong said the Government has added significant capacity in Changi General Hospital (CGH), the only hospital in Singapore’s east currently, through expansion over the years.

However, he noted that healthcare demand has grown substantially as a result of population growth and ageing.

The new integrated general and community hospital, which will join CGH in the east, will address this concern.

What to expect: As plans are still in the early stages, MOH said it could not disclose the location of the hospital, or what services or facilities to expect.

The hospitals will be operated by Singapore Health Services (SingHealth).

The ministry said they will work jointly with the healthcare institution to garner public feedback for ideas on how the hospital can meet community needs. 

MOH aims to have the hospital operational around 2030. 

SUPPORTING YOUTHS’ MENTAL HEALTH

Why: A new Integrated Youth Service is in the pipeline to strengthen support for youths who are at risk of mental health issues.

“Mental well-being continues to be a top concern based on recent engagements with youths, which highlights the need to do more,” said Dr Lam.

What to expect: MOH said that it is developing this service with the Institute of Mental Health, Agency for Integrated Care and community partner, voluntary welfare organisation Care Corner.

The ministry said at-risk youths can expect a one-stop service to access coordinated mental health and social support services, such as individualised basic emotional support, needs identification and befriending services.

MOH said the Integrated Youth Service will be launched in the second half of this year.

The range of services will be available at Care Corner’s new community space in Woodlands, where it will be reaching out to youths via a series of outreach events.

OTHER UPDATES

Expected Completion Year of Healthcare Facilities:

• Three new polyclinics (Bukit Panjang, Eunos and Kallang) will open in 2020, followed by Sembawang in 2021

• Six more new polyclinics (Khatib, Tampines North, Serangoon, Kaki Bukit, Tengah and Yew Tee) are to be completed by 2026

• Two more new polyclinics (Bidadari and Bishan) are to be completed by 2030

• Woodlands Health Campus and the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Integrated Care Hub at Novena are scheduled to open progressively from 2022.

Redevelopment of Alexandra Hospital:

• The first phase of the historic Alexandra Hospital's redevelopment is scheduled to be completed by 2030. 

• The master planning exercise for the hospital was completed in 2019 and the hospital’s site boundary was shifted to bring it closer to Queensway to make it more accessible to patients. 

• MOH said it will work with the National University Health System to “design new and innovative care models”, and test them at the hospital as part of its future redevelopment.

• MOH said a tender for the medical planning consultancy services will be called to establish the key operational and space requirements of the hospital’s various clinical services.