Completion and Outcomes of Referrals for National Mindline 1771 Service Callers and Follow-up Care

14 Dr Hamid Razak asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether data is collected on the completion and outcomes of referrals made for callers to the national mindline 1771 service, and (b) how does the Ministry ensure that callers referred to general practitioners or other social service hotlines receive timely follow-up care.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: For callers who agree to identify themselves and are referred to other services, national mindline 1771 tracks whether the referrals are accepted. Most service providers acknowledge referrals within three working days. Personnel from national mindline 1771 follows up with the service providers if the referrals are not acknowledged. Thereafter, the respective service providers will follow up with the referred clients, including tracking their appointments, compliance with treatment and clinical outcomes.

For anonymous callers who need or request follow-on services, national mindline 1771 personnel will determine the most appropriate services, such as General Practitioner services, and provide the callers with relevant information for them to access the services.