Increasing GP no. under Primary Care Networks

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1607
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 9 JANUARY 2023

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Joan Pereira
MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC

Question No. 3975

To ask the Minister for Health with regard to increasing the number of general practitioners (GPs) under the Primary Care Network as part of the Healthier SG strategy (a) what initiatives are in place to get more GPs onboard; (b) what are the main obstacles preventing them from joining; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider having a listing of which GPs are onboard, for residents’ easy reference.

Answer 

As part of the preparation of the roll out of Healthier SG, MOH has been engaging GPs through different channels, to encourage them to join Primary Care Networks. Today, over half of GPs have done so, and we expect the numbers to rise. There are some concerns expressed by GPs, although these may or may not be the reasons for not joining. These include digitalization, administration of Healthier SG benefits including drug subsidies and the impact on operating costs and patient volume. These concerns are being addressed. A list of participating GP clinics will be available on HealthHub when residents register for Healthier SG.