Healthcare service utilisation

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Dr Tan Wu Meng
MP for Jurong GRC

Question No. 929

To ask the Minister for Health (a) in each of the past three years, with regard to HDB-resident Singaporeans over the age of 65, what are the median, 75th, 90th and 95th percentile outpatient polyclinic and specialist outpatient clinic attendance rates in the public hospitals, broken down by flat type; and (b) whether the Ministry can provide statistics on whether such residents have barrier-free access from their home to the nearest lift landing.

Question No. 930

To ask the Minister for Health (a) in each of the past three years, with regard to HDB-resident Singaporeans over the age of 65, what are the median, 75th, 90th and 95th percentile inpatient admission rates in the public hospitals by frequency of admission and total inpatient days, broken down by flat type; and (b) whether the Ministry can provide statistics on whether such residents have barrier-free access from their home to the nearest lift landing. 

Written Answer 

Over the past three years, the polyclinic attendance rate, specialist outpatient clinic (SOC) attendances rates, inpatient admission rates, and impatient bed days in the public hospitals for Singaporeans over the age of 65 and living in HDB estates, have remained generally stable¹. Those residing in smaller HDB flat types generally had higher utilisation of inpatient and polyclinic services, but lower utilisation of SOC services, compared to residents living in other housing types. See table below. 

The Government has taken measures to ensure barrier-free accessibility in our housing estates. In 1990, the Code on Barrier Free Accessibility in Buildings was first introduced to set minimum standards for barrier-free accessibility in and outside buildings. Since then, all new HDB estates are built with barrier-free access features, which include wider corridors for wheelchair movement, and a wheelchair accessible bathroom within the flat. Following the implementation of the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) for over 5,000 HDB blocks, the majority of HDB residents have barrier-free access from their home to the nearest lift landing. Residents of the remaining 2,000 flats without direct lift access who have medical or mobility issues can apply for the Lift access Housing Grant (LHG) of up to $30,000, to buy a new or resale HDB flat with direct lift access. 

¹The outpatient polyclinic statistics only include doctor visits to align with other settings. Non-doctor visits (e.g. for dental or allied health only) have been excluded.