Total Number of Beds for Classes A, B1, B2 and C Wards in All Public Hospitals

27 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Health how many beds are there currently for each of the classes A, B1, B2 and C wards in all public hospitals.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: There are currently 640 A class, 910 B1 class, 3,513 B2/B2+¹ class and 4,345 C class beds in the 10 public acute hospitals² and the Institute of Mental Health. Of these 9,408 beds, 84% are B2/B2+/C class beds, 9% are B1 class beds, and 7% are A class beds.

The distribution of beds across different ward classes is largely in line with the principles set out in the 1993 White Paper on Affordable Health Care, where at least 65% of the hospital beds are B2 or C class beds, and no more than 13% of the hospital beds are A class beds. The distribution of beds for the various ward classes may fluctuate from time to time due to ward renovations and differs across hospitals to cater to different demand patterns.

MOH closely monitors the bed demand and supply for the different ward classes on an on-going basis.