REPORTS OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING TRANSPORTATION AND ESCORTING OF ELDERLY PATIENTS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2432 
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 9 JANUARY 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Dr Lim Wee Kiak
MP for Sembawang GRC

Question No. 5253

To ask the Minister for Health (a) how many incidents involving the transportation and escorting of elderly patients have been reported in the past three years; (b) in those incidents involving gig-platform services for transporting these elderly, who bears the responsibility; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider tightening regulations to enforce service quality and training standards for companies offering such services. 

Answer

1     Over the past three years, 10 safety incidents involving medical escort and transport of seniors by service providers and transport vendors appointed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) have been reported. Service providers appointed by MOH are required to adhere to service standards and requirements. These service providers are also required to conduct training to ensure that staff and volunteers are able to carry out their roles safely. MOH/AIC did not receive reports on similar incidents involving gig-platforms services during the same period.

2     MOH will continue to review our policies and regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of clients of our eldercare services.