Referral by Private General Practitioners of Non-emergency Cases to Government Accident and Emergency Departments

88 Mr Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the average percentage of patients referred by private GPs to Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments in Government hospitals and not warded; and (b) how can the Government better help such patients from being subjected to excessive medical charges as they would be billed by the GP and A&E department for the same illness.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: In 2015, around 39,000 patients were referred by general practitioners (GPs) to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments of public hospitals. About 70% of them were not required to be warded after being assessed and treated by the A&E doctors.

We should not assume that a patient who is not warded has been inappropriately referred by his GP. These patients may require further review or monitoring in the A&E setting. They may also require additional tests or treatment using specialised instruments that are not available at the GP clinics. For the large majority of patients, the A&E referrals by their GPs are appropriate for their medical conditions.

Our Regional Health Systems and Restructured Hospitals will continue to work closely with their GP partners to provide good quality primary care and minimise the need for Singaporeans to seek treatment at acute hospitals.