INVESTIGATION INTO CASE INVOLVING EXPECTANT MOTHER LOSING HER CHILD AFTER BEING ALLEGEDLY LEFT UNATTENDED AT EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF NUH

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1090 
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 5 APRIL 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Hazel Poa
Non-Constituency MP

Question No. 2790

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the result of the investigation into the case involving an expectant mother losing her child after being left unattended for a long time at the emergency department of the National University Hospital (NUH); (b) whether there are any previous similar cases; and (c) what steps will be taken to prevent future recurrence and to address the wider problem of overload situation at hospitals’ emergency departments.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1095
NOTICE OF QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OF AFTER 6 APRIL 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui
MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC

Question No. 2814

To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry can provide more details on the investigation process for the recent NUH Accident and Emergency Department occurrence involving a pregnant woman, in terms of (i) reference for the review (ii) timeline for completion of the review and (iii) seniority of the individuals leading this review. 

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Dr Wan Rizal
MP for Jalan Besar GRC

Question No. 2815

To ask the Minister for Health in light of the case involving an expectant mother losing her child at the NUH emergency department (ED) recently (a) whether the Ministry will consider reviewing the protocols to mitigate similar occurrences in the future; and (b) what steps will be taken to address the workload for healthcare workers in the ED.

Question No. 2816

To ask the Minister for Health whether counselling and mental health support will be provided for the staff and family members involved in the case of an expectant mother losing her child at NUH recently.

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1093
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OF AFTER 7 APRIL 2022

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Ng Ling Ling 
MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC

Question No. 2812

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether public hospitals’ emergency departments have a waiting time threshold before patients are being attended to; (b) for an emergency department which has crossed its coping threshold, whether emergency cases can then be diverted to the next nearest public hospital; and (c) whether there is a process for obstetric emergencies to be directed to KK Women's and Children Hospital once a public hospital emergency department is not able to attend to such emergency within the waiting time threshold.

Answer

1     Mr Speaker my answer will address question no. 5 from Ms Hazel Poa in today’s order paper, and also similar related questions raised by Ms Ng Ling Ling¹, Mr Edward Chia² and Dr Wan Rizal^3,4.

2     It was with a heavy heart that I read about the unfortunate incident that happened at National University Hospital (NUH) two weeks ago. I would also like to offer my deepest condolences to the family for their tragic loss. The couple has had discussions with the NUH team and the matter has since been closed between the two parties. The family had put up a social media post recently acknowledging this, and further acknowledged that the mother had not been left unattended for two hours. Indeed, she received attention and care from the NUH Emergency Department (ED) team from the time she arrived. They further noted that the sad, unfortunate outcome of the pregnancy was not the result of her experience at the hospital. Out of respect for the couple’s request for privacy, and for confidentiality reasons, I will not go into details of the case.

3     NUH has investigated the matter thoroughly and reviewed their processes, in consultation with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Director, Medical Services. Their clinical care processes are appropriate, but there were some areas for improved communications and the coordination of transfers between the ED and the Delivery Suite. NUH has implemented these improvements.

4     COVID-19 has resulted in the public hospitals EDs facing very high demands and our healthcare workers have been working continuously to attend to all patients, with COVID-19 and those with non-COVID-19 conditions. All patients will be triaged based on presenting history, symptoms, and clinical parameters so that those with life-threatening conditions are prioritised. No patient will be denied care.

5     I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to all healthcare workers for their professionalism and dedication in caring for all their patients. Thank you, Sir.

¹ This refers to PQ 2812: To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether public hospitals’ emergency departments have a waiting time threshold before patients are being attended to; (b) for an emergency department which has crossed its coping threshold, whether emergency cases can then be diverted to the next nearest public hospital; and (c) whether there is a process for obstetric emergencies to be directed to KK Women's and Children Hospital once a public hospital emergency department is not able to attend to such emergency within the waiting time threshold.

² This refers to PQ 2814: To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry can provide more details on the investigation process for the recent NUH Accident and Emergency Department occurrence involving a pregnant woman, in terms of (i) reference for the review (ii) timeline for completion of the review and (iii) seniority of the individuals leading this review.

³ This refers to PQ  2815: To ask the Minister for Health in light of the case involving an expectant mother losing her child at the NUH emergency department (ED) recently (a) whether the Ministry will consider reviewing the protocols to mitigate similar occurrences in the future; and (b) what steps will be taken to address the workload for healthcare workers in the ED;
 
⁴ This refers to PQ 2816: To ask the Minister for Health whether counselling and mental health support will be provided for the staff and family members involved in the case of an expectant mother losing her child at NUH recently