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Straits Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Forum: Make NurseFirst helpline more seamless by tapping primary care networks
I refer to the article, '995 calls for non-life-threatening cases to be referred to triage helpline from June 1 under new trial' (May 30). This is a bold step that will help reduce queues at emergency departments at restructured hospitals, thereby reducing wait times for more urgent cases. The programme can go a step further by working with primary care clinics to form a coordinated nationwide network. Many GP clinics operate late into the night, with some even staying open past midnight. By collaborating with existing GP and primary care networks, NurseFirst can help direct patients to appropriate clinics based on availability and proximity. It can be frustrating for patients if they are told by NurseFirst to seek help at GP clinics at say 10pm, and end up spending much time searching for clinics which are open at that time. These patients with non-life-threatening conditions might return to the emergency departments at hospitals, defeating the purpose of the helpline. For non-urgent cases, NurseFirst can also help arrange outpatient clinic appointments with polyclinics or GP clinics within a day or two. Dr Desmond Wai More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Forum: Look into ways to support foreign nurses better
Forum: Look into ways to support foreign nurses better I refer to the article 'As competition for migrant nurses hots up, Singapore should be worried', May 17. Having worked with many foreign nurses, I've wondered why they continue to choose Singapore when countries such as the US, Australia and those in the Gulf region offer higher salaries. Some countries also provide family reunification options, free education for children, and healthcare for their family. Work-life balance in some of these countries is also more favourable with shorter working hours and protected time for breaks. And yet, many foreign nurses still choose to work in Singapore. There are several reasons for this. First, our geographical proximity to their home countries is a major draw. For nurses from the Philippines, Myanmar and Malaysia, Singapore is just a few hours away – making travel home relatively quick and affordable. Second, our overall tax rate is lower than in many other countries. Third, English is our working language and most foreign nurses are comfortable using it in their professional and personal lives. While Western countries may allow family reunification, spouses often do not receive work visas, limiting their ability to contribute economically. Family reunification may also be less of a factor for nurses without young children, or those with grown-up kids. Beyond this, we treat foreign nurses fairly and do not discriminate against them. They are eligible for promotions to senior or leadership roles just like locals. Salary increments and bonus schemes apply to both local and foreign nurses. Still, we must not take their presence for granted. We must continue to compensate our foreign nurses competitively. We should look into ways to help them cope with rising living costs. The Ministry of Health can consider providing living quarters for foreign nurses at subsidised rental rates. We owe our country's success in healthcare to our healthcare workers, including our foreign nurses. We must continue to treat them well. Otherwise, we risk becoming just a stepping stone for them to higher-paying destinations. Dr Desmond Wai More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Forum: New price-quality way to allot clinic space a bold move
I applaud the decision by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Housing Board (HDB) to use a new system for allotting clinic space to family physicians (MOH, HDB to trial tender approach evaluating both price and quality for Bidadari clinic, May 8). In the past, allocation of clinic rental spaces was by price alone, and the clinic willing to pay the highest rental won the bid. It was a fair system but, unfortunately, some clinics put in unrealistically high prices to win. After that, the clinics would then need to ensure they made enough money to pay for their high rent, sometimes at the expense of clinical care and service standards. The new system prevents this. Clinics would need to lay out a plan for better care and service to win the rental allocation. This is a bold move in the right direction. Bartley Beacon is a new town under construction, with no tertiary medical support nearby. The nearest polyclinics are also unlikely to have the capacity to take in new patients from nearby new towns. Hence, the family clinic at Bartley Beacon will have a big role to play in providing medical care to the community. It was reported that MOH will consider factors such as whether multidisciplinary care will be offered, manpower quality and operating hours. I would imagine the new family clinic would provide the following services: three shifts of opening from morning till night; a GPFirst programme that helps manage mild or non-emergency medical conditions, to avoid unnecessary emergency room visits; care for all ages, from infant care to geriatric care; a minor operating theatre to perform operations like suturing and wound care; structured training and continual professional education for both doctors and nurses; and partnership with tertiary hospitals to provide teleconsultations with specialists for patients with mobility issues. With this move, HDB will collect less in rental money, which is indirectly used to subsidise private clinics in providing good clinical care. Let's hope the new system works well and this new price-quality model can be expanded to other clinics. Desmond Wai (Dr) Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
