ENSURING HEALTH SCREENING DATA IS ACCESSIBLE TO CARE PROVIDERS

We agree with Dr Ang Yee Gary that a central health screening registry accessible to all general practitioners (Create a central health screening registry that all GPs can access, June 10) will be useful and improve care for patients.  

Today, Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) GPs can access their patients’ eligibility for Healthier SG screening through their Clinic Management Systems or the MOH Healthcare Claims Portal. GPs can also access the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR) system, which contains the results of health screening conducted by public healthcare institutions and GPs participating in Healthier SG. However, it does not capture the results of health screening conducted by other private clinics.

The Ministry of Health is working on a Health Information Bill where all private and public healthcare providers will be required to contribute clinical information, including screening test results, to NEHR. This will be made available to GPs to further enhance patient care.

Ruth Lim (Dr) 
Director (Disease Policy and Strategy) 
Ministry of Health