Resources for Detection of Mental Health Issues and Provision of Preventive Care and Subsidies Available
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the resources available to primary care providers for detecting mental health issues and the subsidies provided for preventive care. Ms Ng Ling Ling inquired about the training of healthcare workers, available financial assistance, and the integration of health and social services. Minister Gan Kim Yong responded that polyclinic staff and over 220 general practitioners are trained to provide early identification and intervention under national masterplans. He noted that subsidies are available through polyclinics and the Community Health Assist Scheme, with MediSave withdrawal limits for chronic conditions increasing in 2021. Finally, the Agency of Integrated Care coordinates across the health and social sectors to provide patients with appropriate medical and social support.
Transcript
10 Ms Ng Ling Ling asked the Minister for Health (a) how are the primary care providers, including polyclinics and private GP clinics, equipped and resourced to detect early onset of mental health issues and to provide preventive care; (b) what are the subsidies for Singaporeans in seeking such preventive care; and (c) whether there are integration platforms with social services in such care provisions.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Under the Community Mental Health Masterplan (CMHMP), primary care providers receive support to improve early identification and access to mental health care for persons with mental health issues. Mental health services have been set up in the polyclinics. Family physicians, nurses, psychologists and medical social workers sited at these polyclinics are trained to recognise early signs of mental distress among patients so that they can provide timely mental health assessment and intervention. In addition, over 220 general practitioners (GP) have been trained under the Mental Health General Practitioner Partnership Programme (MHGPP) to identify, diagnose and manage persons with mental health issues in the community.
Government subsidies are available at polyclinics and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) subsidies are available at CHAS GPs for Singaporeans who seek treatment for mental health issues in the primary care setting. In November 2019, CHAS Green was introduced to allow all chronic patients, regardless of income, to enjoy CHAS subsidies for mental illnesses under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) (namely major depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia) at CHAS GPs clinics. Currently, patients can also withdraw up to $500 per year from their MediSave for the outpatient management of conditions under the CDMP. For patients with complex chronic conditions, this annual withdrawal limit will be raised to $700 from 1 January 2021. Lastly, those aged 60 and above may tap on Flexi-MediSave.
In addition to providing accessible and affordable care for persons with mental health condition(s), the Agency of Integrated Care (AIC) helps to coordinate care across the health and social sectors for persons with mental health issues. Primary care providers, community partners, ground agencies and members of the public can refer persons with/suspected to have mental health condition(s) to AIC, who will then work with relevant stakeholders to support clients with the appropriate medical and social services.