Common Reasons for Rejecting Admission Requests at Restructured Hospitals

116 Ms Tin Pei Ling asked the Minister for Health (a) what are the circumstances and common reasons for rejecting inpatient admission requests by patients or patients’ family members at restructured hospitals during (i) 2020 to date and (ii) 2017 to 2020; and (b) whether there are sufficient capacity at the current restructured hospitals to cope with the needs of an aging population.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Hospital admissions are only for patients assessed to require inpatient treatment because of their medical needs. All patients, regardless of their age, who are assessed to require hospitalization will not be denied treatment.

MOH is actively increasing our acute hospital capacity to meet the growing demand of our ageing population. In addition, MOH has also increased the capacity of our community hospitals, community and home care services, as well as primary care services, to support the healthcare needs of our seniors.