BREAKDOWN OF MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS ACROSS PUBLIC HEALTHCARE AND COMMUNITY CARE SETTINGS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 488
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 24 FEBRUARY 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Cai Yinzhou
MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC

Question No. 983
To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health for each year from 2023 to 2025, (a) how many medical social workers were practising in (i) public healthcare institutions and (ii) community and long-term care settings; (b) what were the average and median caseloads and case duration managed by a medical social worker at any one time; and (c) whether the Ministry is reviewing current caseload expectations and manpower planning.

Answer

1        In 2023 and 2024, there were around 940 medical social workers in the public healthcare and community sectors. 2025 data is not yet available.

2        We do not track the average and median caseloads and duration of cases managed by medical social workers. These can vary widely depending on case complexity and care setting.  

3        MOH reviews and updates manpower plans in the public healthcare sector from time to time.