PLANS TO RAMP UP SUPPLY OF STAFF FOR NEW ELDERCARE FACILITIES

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Yip Hon Weng
MP for Yio Chu Kang

Question No. 2978

To ask the Minister for Health in view of the current shortage of nurses and allied health workers in acute and step-down facilities as well as plans to double eldercare facilities by 2025, what are the Ministry’s plans to ramp up the supply of staff for the new eldercare facilities. 

Written Answer

Eldercare centres (ECs) are supported mainly by administrative staff and a strong pool of volunteers. Healthcare clusters with their nurses and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) will also work with the ECs to bring in other preventive care services to the community.
   
There are ongoing efforts to both recruit and retain staff in the community care sector. We are enhancing salaries in the sector through the ongoing Community Care Salary Enhancement Exercise. We develop staff and attract talent to join the sector through funding support for scholarships and training. Job redesign will also help increase productivity and value of the jobs. We are also enhancing the public image, respect, and understanding of the community care sector through the Care to Go Beyond campaign. Finally, we will continue to complement our local workforce with foreign manpower wherever needed.