Security Framework for Healthcare Institutions

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef

MP for Marine Parade GRC

Question No. 224

To ask the Minister for Health with recent announcements on the Home Team's counter-terrorism initiatives as well as community plans under SG Secure, whether the Ministry will be coming up with a framework for healthcare institutions pertaining to this.

Oral Answer

1        In their daily operations, the public healthcare institutions aim to provide a baseline level of security that balances the safety of their patients, visitors and staff, while allowing public access without undue hassle.  The day-to-day security operations include surveillance via CCTVs, patrols and immediate responses to security incidents by security personnel, and access controls against unauthorized entry to restricted and sensitive areas.  Our public healthcare institutions also conduct security awareness training for their staff, so that they remain vigilant and are aware of the basic security measures that they should take.    

2        The public healthcare institutions also have contingency plans to step up their vigilance during heightened security alerts.  These include the deployment of additional security personnel, increasing the frequency of patrolling, tightening of access control and stepping up security awareness training among their staff.  For security incidents like terrorist attacks, the hospital security personnel are expected to contain and manage the situation until the Police arrives at the scene. 

3        MOH and the public healthcare institutions also participate in Whole-of-Government planning efforts to enhance preparedness for security threats and to share good practices.  The institutions also work directly with the Police land divisions to develop standard operating procedures and conduct familiarization and emergency drills to test their preparedness and vigilance. 

4        In view of the heightened terrorism threat and the new modus operandi of terrorists, MOH and the public healthcare institutions are reviewing our security plans, in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.  The review is expected to be completed within a few months’ time and will cover preventive security, contingency plans to deal with different scenarios and threat levels, including terrorist incidents, and consequence management.  The review will also examine the required competency of the security personnel.  MOH will work closely with MHA and the Home Team to ensure that our public healthcare institutions remain vigilant and alert.