The Ministry of Health is reorganising the public healthcare delivery system into two vertically integrated delivery networks. This reorganisation positions our healthcare delivery system, which is already known for its quality, affordability and accessibility, to deliver more integrated and holistic healthcare to Singaporeans in the next millennium. The two networks will be incorporated by the first quarter of 2000.
The Ministry is also restructuring Alexandra Hospital, Woodbridge Hospital and the polyclinics. The restructured institutions will enjoy greater management and operational flexibility. This will enhance their ability to respond to changing circumstances and needs as well as provide better healthcare services to Singaporeans. All three institutions will be restructured by April 2001 and merged into the two networks after they have been restructured.
The two networks will for the time being be referred to as the Western and Eastern networks. Each network will provide the full range of acute services ranging from primary care to secondary and tertiary care at regional and tertiary hospitals and national centres.
Both networks will continue to offer good and affordable healthcare services to Singaporeans. Singaporeans will benefit from seamless healthcare, as they will be able to access the level and type of care they need across institutions with greater ease. This holistic approach is especially relevant in the context of our growing population of elderly Singaporeans with multiple chronic diseases who require regular follow up to optimise their health and quality of life. Singaporeans will continue to have the freedom to use healthcare services within or across the networks.
The key driving force for the reorganisation is to encourage greater collaboration and co-operation among all service providers. The networks will allow for the integration of services and provide more holistic and quality care to patients in the long term. Such a system will minimise duplication of services and wastage of resources, as well as ensure optimal development of clinical capabilities. For example, by restructuring the polyclinics and linking them to the regional general hospitals, we can better utilise the resources of the polyclinics. By leveraging on information technology and sharing professional expertise, we will unlock hidden synergies inherent in our healthcare delivery system.
Our healthcare financing framework remains the same. The Government will continue to pay subsidies in the same way. Patient fees will also continue to be reviewed regularly and adjusted to keep pace with inflation. With Medifund, no one will be denied healthcare because of inability to pay.
The Ministry is actively working on the implementation details with the Chairmen-designate and Chief Executive Officers-designate of the two networks to realise this new vision of healthcare delivery. The networks will be fully operational when the restructuring of AH, WH and the polyclinics is completed.