MEDIAN WAITING TIMES FOR PATIENTS SEEKING SUPPORT FOR COMMON MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS THROUGH PRIMARY CARE

NOTICE PAPER NO. 826

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 6 MAY 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Dr Choo Pei Ling

MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC

Question No. 2176

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what are the median waiting times for assessment, counselling, and referral pathways for patients seeking support for common mental health conditions through primary care; and (b) whether the Ministry is expanding capacity in this area.

Answer

1        Patients are usually first seen at the polyclinics and General Practitioners clinics where an assessment and appropriate treatment may be provided. Non-urgent cases will be referred to the mental health clinic if needed. In 2025, the median wait time for non-urgent referrals to the mental health clinic was 23 days.

2        Those who have more urgent or complex needs requiring specialist care will receive earlier appointments or are referred to emergency services at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) or other acute hospitals.

3        Services such as assessments, counseling and psychotherapy are also available in the community at Community Outreach Team (CREST) and Community Intervention Team (COMIT), which do not require referrals. The Ministry of Health will continue to right-site care and expand mental health services progressively in the community.