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Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Longer waiting times at hospital A&E departments likely due to post-public holiday surge
MOH said the current rise in wait times at hospitals is consistent with with the typical post-public holiday surge. ST PHOTO: SHERLYN SIM SINGAPORE – The high volume of patients at several hospitals' emergency departments (EDs) this week, which has resulted in longer waiting times, is likely due to a post-public holiday surge in demand. In response to media queries, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on May 16 that acute hospitals can experience higher attendance at their EDs during specific times of the year, and that the current rise in wait times at hospitals is consistent with the typical post-public holiday surge. On May 14 , Changi General Hospital (CGH) and Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) announced in separate Facebook posts that they have been seeing a high volume of patients at their EDs. MOH said that in spite of the increased patient numbers at the ED, hospitals will maintain prompt triage procedures to quickly identify those with critical medical conditions. This ensures that such patients are attended to urgently and patient care is not compromised. For patients awaiting admission at the ED, inpatient teams will also be activated to begin treatment to prevent delays in care. Patients may be transferred to other hospitals for further treatment in some cases, MOH added. Hospitals told ST that their EDs are still crowded amid a rise in Covid-19 cases. Between April 27 and May 3, 14,200 Covid-19 cases were recorded, an increase from 11,100 the previous week. CGH said that although the surge in patient volume is likely due to the post-public holiday period, there has also been a rise in the number of Covid-19 patients at the hospital over the past month. Some of the patients, including seniors, were admitted for other medical conditions and later found to be Covid-19 positive. SKH told ST that its recent increase in patient volume is in line with the typical post-public holiday surge, with most cases unrelated to Covid-19. The National University Health System (NUHS) and its hospitals – National University Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, and Alexandra Hospital – said the surge is consistent with the increase in patients observed during the post-holiday period in previous years. NUHS added that it did not 'notice any unusual patterns of illnesses'. To manage longer waiting times at EDs, CGH and SKH said that patients who are awaiting a bed in the ED are triaged so that those who are more ill and who require close monitoring will get a bed more quickly based on acuity and priority. NUHS said it would redeploy and increase its manpower as needed to better support the high number of patients at its EDs. Its triage process includes having a senior emergency physician review the cases for admission to hospital, to ensure right-siting and avoid unnecessary admission. MOH and the hospitals have also urged the public to visit the ED only for serious or life-threatening emergencies. Those experiencing mild to moderate symptoms like cough, sore throat or runny nose should go to general practitioners or a polyclinic. The ministry also said that hospitals may admit suitable patients to Mobile Inpatient Care at Home (MIC@Home), and transfer medically stable patients to community hospitals, transitional care facilities and other community facilities or services to manage bed occupancy. The MIC@Home programme allows teams of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to care for suitable patients in the comfort of their own homes through a combination of teleconsultations and home visits. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Online Citizen
16-05-2025
- Health
- Online Citizen
Singapore hospitals warn of long emergency waits, urge non-urgent cases to visit GPs or clinics
Three major public hospitals in Singapore have issued advisories alerting patients to expect longer waiting times at emergency departments due to an increase in patient load. On 14 May 2025, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) published a notice on its website, while Changi General Hospital (CGH) and Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) used Facebook to communicate the situation. TTSH informed patients that if hospital admission is required, the waiting time could span several hours. It assured the public that emergency care would continue during this period. SKH noted that patient priority would be determined by condition severity. Those with non-critical needs were advised to consult general practitioners, polyclinics, or Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs). CGH echoed this guidance, encouraging patients with symptoms such as sore throats or runny noses to avoid emergency departments unless absolutely necessary. The hospital added that reducing non-critical visits would help staff focus on urgent cases. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Communicable Diseases Agency have reported a recent increase in COVID-19 cases. Between 27 April and 3 May, cases rose to an estimated 14,200, up from 11,100 the week prior. While the rise in infections may be straining resources, the authorities confirmed that hospitals remain capable of handling the current patient load.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Why Singaporeans are waiting hours at A&E — and what hospitals want you to do instead
SINGAPORE, May 15 — Several hospitals here including Changi General Hospital (CGH), Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), have been seeing unusually high volumes of patients at their emergency departments (EDs), causing long waiting times. CGH and SKH advised the public via Facebook yesterday to visit their EDs only for serious or life-threatening conditions, and to consult general practitioners or polyclinics for minor symptoms such as cough, sore throat or runny nose, The Straits Times reported. KTPH, which began seeing a spike in ED cases after the recent long weekend, said the rise was not mainly due to Covid-19, despite a small increase in infections. Health authorities said on May 13 that while there has been a rise in Covid-19 cases, current variants do not appear more transmissible or severe than earlier strains. At 5.30pm on May 14, KTPH's website listed a wait time of 107 minutes with 135 patients in queue, dropping to 71 minutes and 124 patients by 6.30pm. KTPH said its emergency department remains fully operational and under control, and that patients with critical conditions will still be seen immediately. The Straits Times reported that during its visit to CGH yesterday, a notice outside the A&E department warned of waits lasting at least five to eight hours due to the surge in patients.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Long A&E wait times hit hospitals; Foo Fighters, CL headline Singapore GP weekend: Singapore live news
Hello to all our readers, Yahoo Singapore will be bringing you live news updates today. The editorial team will be curating the latest must-know local and international news. Several major hospitals in Singapore are seeing a spike in emergency department visits, with Changi General Hospital (CGH), Sengkang General Hospital (SKH), and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) warning of longer wait times. Patients with non-urgent symptoms are encouraged to seek care at general practitioners (GPs) or Public Health Preparedness Clinics. The hospitals stress that emergency departments should be reserved for serious or life-threatening cases only. This comes amid concerns over healthcare capacity and workforce strain. Read on what patients need to know now about the A&E overload here. The 2025 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix is turning up the volume. Foo Fighters, The Smashing Pumpkins, CL, and Alan Walker are among the global powerhouses joining Elton John and G-Dragon for a three-day mega festival from 3-5 October. The event blends high-octane racing with world-class music across multiple stages, featuring names like Babymetal, Crowded House, and The Wombats. From K-pop icons to rock legends and EDM trailblazers, this year's lineup promises to be the most explosive yet. With ticket demand surging, fans are urged to grab passes while they last. Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. Singapore's major hospitals are urging the public to avoid emergency departments unless facing life-threatening conditions. Changi General Hospital (CGH), Sengkang General Hospital (SKH), and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) report a surge in patients, causing unusually long wait times. In social media updates, CGH and SKH advised that only those with serious emergencies should seek care at A&Es. Meanwhile, TTSH's website warns of delays in both consultations and admissions. Those with coughs, sore throats, or other mild symptoms are urged to visit general practitioners or Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) instead. These clinics can be located through This move helps healthcare workers focus on critical cases and maintain emergency readiness. Read on why you should skip the A&E for minor symptoms here. Get ready to rock at full throttle. The 2025 Singapore Grand Prix just unveiled a stacked music lineup featuring Foo Fighters, CL and The Smashing Pumpkins. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Foo Fighters (@foofighters) Running from 3-5 October, the star-studded event turns the Marina Bay Street Circuit into a high-octane music festival. Global icons like Alan Walker, Elton John and G-Dragon will share the spotlight with indie darlings and K-pop heavyweights. This year's entertainment will span multiple stages – from the iconic Padang Stage to the more intimate Sunset and Esplanade venues – offering something for every music fan. The lineup also includes Babymetal, Crowded House, Tom Grennan, The Lathums, and Indonesian vocal sensation Putri Ariani. With genres ranging from rock to EDM to neo-soul, it's a cultural mashup worth the pit stop. Tickets are already moving fast. With more acts still to be announced, the Grand Prix weekend is shaping up to be Singapore's biggest party of the year. Singapore's major hospitals are urging the public to avoid emergency departments unless facing life-threatening conditions. Changi General Hospital (CGH), Sengkang General Hospital (SKH), and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) report a surge in patients, causing unusually long wait times. In social media updates, CGH and SKH advised that only those with serious emergencies should seek care at A&Es. Meanwhile, TTSH's website warns of delays in both consultations and admissions. Those with coughs, sore throats, or other mild symptoms are urged to visit general practitioners or Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) instead. These clinics can be located through This move helps healthcare workers focus on critical cases and maintain emergency readiness. Read on why you should skip the A&E for minor symptoms here. Get ready to rock at full throttle. The 2025 Singapore Grand Prix just unveiled a stacked music lineup featuring Foo Fighters, CL and The Smashing Pumpkins. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Foo Fighters (@foofighters) Running from 3-5 October, the star-studded event turns the Marina Bay Street Circuit into a high-octane music festival. Global icons like Alan Walker, Elton John and G-Dragon will share the spotlight with indie darlings and K-pop heavyweights. This year's entertainment will span multiple stages – from the iconic Padang Stage to the more intimate Sunset and Esplanade venues – offering something for every music fan. The lineup also includes Babymetal, Crowded House, Tom Grennan, The Lathums, and Indonesian vocal sensation Putri Ariani. With genres ranging from rock to EDM to neo-soul, it's a cultural mashup worth the pit stop. Tickets are already moving fast. With more acts still to be announced, the Grand Prix weekend is shaping up to be Singapore's biggest party of the year.
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Longer waiting times at A&Es at CGH, SKH and TTSH
High volumes of patients have resulted in long queues and waiting times. PHOTOS: ST FILE, SHINTARO TAY Longer waiting times at A&Es at CGH, SKH and TTSH SINGAPORE – Changi General Hospital (CGH) and Sengkang General Hospita l (SKH) are seeing a high number of patients at their emergency departments, and this has resulted in longer waiting times. In a notice on its website , Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) said that there are longer than usual waiting times at the emergency department, and that admission may require a few hours. Only people with serious or life-threatening emergencies should go to its emergency department, CGH and SKH said on May 14 in separate social media posts. This allows medical professionals to attend to those with critical conditions and in need of emergency care. CGH and SKH urged those experiencing mild to moderate symptoms like cough, sore throat, or runny nose, to visit general practitioners (GPs) or Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs). Members of the public can find a PHPC at ST has contacted the Ministry of Health for more information. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
