Renovation Of Polyclinics

26 May 2001

Renovation at the Clementi Polyclinic started in August 2000 and the newly renovated polyclinic re-opened in January 2001. The project cost amounts to $1.7 million.

Clementi Polyclinic is one of the first generation polyclinics built in the early eighties. It had not undergone any major facelift since its commissioning. The renovation project was initiated to improve and upgrade the facilities and services to provide better primary healthcare for Singaporeans using the polyclinic.

The scope of works includes:

(a) Upgrading of existing facilities which include the replacement of flooring, furniture, fittings and an obsolete air-conditioning system;

(b) Setting up of essential IT systems to integrate the information system of Clementi polyclinic with other polyclinics and the hospitals to provide more integrated patient care; and

(c) Installation of a Queue Management System to reduce patient waiting time.

The newly-renovated Clementi Polyclinic provides several new services to Clementi residents, such as x-ray and mammography, minor surgical procedures and a retail pharmacy that sells medication and home-help devices. It is also the only polyclinic that is fully air-conditioned.

Polyclinic Upgrading to Provide Better Primary Healthcare

The renovation of Clementi Polyclinic is part of the Ministry's overall efforts to upgrade the polyclinics to provide better primary healthcare to Singaporeans. The upgrading would cost the Government a total of $22.2 million. Upgrading are classified into three broad categories:

(A) Major Upgrading

Besides Clementi Polyclinic, the Bukit Merah Polyclinic and Bedok Polyclinic had also recently undergone similar major upgrading works. The upgrading of the three polyclinics cost the Government a total of $7.2 million.

(B) Minor Improvement Works

Minor improvements works are also being carried out for the remaining polyclinics, namely, Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok, Chua Chu Kang, Geylang, Hougang, Jurong, Marine Parade, Tampines, Toa Payoh, Woodlands and Yishun Polyclinics. These include the relocation of service area for better operational workflow, installation of Queue Management system, lifts upgrading, improvement of toilet facilities and the replacement of furniture and fittings.

In addition, new facilities are planned for these polyclinics:

(a) The existing pharmacy area will be reconfigured in Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Hougang, Jurong, Toa Payoh, Woodlands and Yishun Polyclinics to include space for retail services.

(b) Minor surgery room would be made available in Choa Chu Kang, Hougang and Woodlands Polyclinics.

(c) X-ray rooms would be provided for all the polyclinics except for the newer polyclincs, namely, Woodlands and Yishun which are already equipped with the facilities.

The upgrading works for these polyclinics are estimated to cost the Government $8 million.

(C) Network Infrastructure

Fourteen polyclinics without IT network infrastructures would be fitted with Local Area Network and Wide Area Network connections at a total project cost of $7 million within the next two years. The aims are to improve the overall service quality and productivity within polyclinics and improve operational efficiency between polyclinics and hospitals.