Resignation Rate of Frontline Healthcare Workers Since Start of COVID-19 Pandemic
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the resignation rates of frontline healthcare workers since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the support systems available to them, as raised by Dr Lim Wee Kiak. Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong stated that the overall resignation rate in the public healthcare sector decreased from 10% in 2019 to 6% in 2020, specifically dropping from 5% to 3% for doctors and 6% to 5% for nurses. To assist staff with work-related stress, public healthcare institutions have stepped up outreach for counselling services, staff helplines, and peer support programmes. Additionally, the Ministry has established a cross-cluster Staff Well-being Committee comprising representatives from public healthcare institutions and the Ministry to better support healthcare workers. These measures aim to address the mental and emotional toll on frontline staff who have demonstrated resilience while serving beyond the call of duty during this prolonged crisis.
Transcript
64 Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the resignation rate of frontline healthcare workers since the COVID-19 pandemic started as compared to the year before; (b) what measures has the Ministry taken to ensure our healthcare staff are coping adequately with the stresses of their work during this period; and (c) what support measures do healthcare workers receive if they express difficulty in coping.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: The resignation rate of healthcare workers from the public healthcare sector dropped from 10% in 2019 to 6% in 2020. Specifically, the resignation rate of doctors dropped from 5% to 3%, while that for nurses dropped from 6% to 5% over the same period.
Our public healthcare institutions have stepped up their outreach to staff on the support measures available to them. This includes counselling services, staff helplines, and peer support programmes.
To better support our healthcare staff, the Ministry has also set up a cross-cluster Staff Well-being Committee comprising representatives from our public healthcare institutions and the Ministry.
Our frontline healthcare workers have served well beyond the call of duty. They have demonstrated grit and resilience, standing by each other, and serving our nation. The pandemic has lasted longer than initially anticipated and has become the most complex challenge faced by our healthcare system. Through it all, they have been steadfast in their mission to serve each patient to the best of their abilities. This has taken a toll on them, but we know that they are sustained by a deep sense of purpose and the camaraderie of their colleagues. We are very grateful and will do our part to support our healthcare workers as they continue to provide the best possible healthcare.