Help for Citizens Who Are Not Digitally Savvy to Book Polyclinic Appointments

12 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Health (a) whether there has been any improvement to the situation faced by senior citizens about their difficulty in the booking of polyclinic appointments; and (b) whether any additional measures have been implemented since July 2023 to help senior citizens who are not technologically savvy to book polyclinic appointments.

The Senior Minister of State for Health (Dr Janil Puthucheary) (for the Minister for Health): Sir, the number of seniors attending polyclinic has increased from over 260,000 in July 2023 to over 300,000 in July 2024.

Generally, patients having their chronic conditions managed at the polyclinics have their appointments for chronic disease management booked ahead of time. If a senior requires assistance to book a new polyclinic appointment digitally, he or she can seek assistance at a polyclinic, at the Active Ageing Centres, at Community Health Posts and other locations where staff can assist seniors to make polyclinic appointments. Seniors can also contact the call centres for an appointment or walk into a polyclinic where they can be assigned an appointment slot if one is still available.

If the available appointment slots have run out, depending on demand for the day, the polyclinics will triage and attend to walk-in patients with urgent medical needs, which could include elderly who are frail and have mobility issues.