Implementation of Integrated Approach to Improve Public Awareness of Death Literacy and End-of-Life Issues
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP David Hoe’s inquiry regarding an integrated whole-of-government approach to enhance public awareness of end-of-life issues, including palliative care and funeral procedures. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung replied that Singapore’s death literacy score of 5.66 exceeds scores in Australia and the United Kingdom, highlighting the 2023 national legacy planning campaign. This initiative utilizes over 70 partnerships to promote Advance Care Planning and Lasting Power of Attorney, while the Singapore Hospice Council works to normalise conversations about death. The Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung also pointed to the MyLegacy@LifeSG portal as a one-stop resource for end-of-life care and funeral arrangements. This portal consolidates information from various agencies, including the National Environment Agency, to provide a streamlined experience for legacy planning and post-death matters.
Transcript
11 Mr David Hoe asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in light of the low death literacy highlighted by the Singapore Hospice Council's Death Literacy Index, whether the Ministry will consider working with the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and relevant agencies to address gaps in public understanding of end-of-life issues including (i) palliative care access (ii) dying at home and (iii) post-death funeral procedures, through a more integrated whole-of-Government approach.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: Singapore scored 5.66 out of 10 for the death literacy index. Similar studies placed the index at 4.7 for Australia in 2019, and 4.76 for the United Kingdom in 2022.
In 2023, we embarked on a national legacy planning campaign. The campaign promotes the adoption of legacy planning tools, such as Advance Care Planning, the Central Provident Fund Nomination, Lasting Power of Attorney and Wills through ground engagements and publicity. To further expand the reach of this effort, we have formed more than 70 partnerships with various commercial, social and community entities. The Singapore Hospice Council also engages the public to normalise conversations on death and advocate for a supportive palliative care environment.
The legacy planning campaign also promotes MyLegacy@LifeSG, a one-stop online portal consolidating information on legacy planning, end-of-life care and post-death matters, such as funeral arrangements from relevant agencies, including the National Environment Agency.