Residents in Woodlands, Sembawang, Choa Chu Kang, and nearby areas can now access acute hospital services more easily.
The new Woodlands Health Campus aims to improve healthcare delivery in northern Singapore.
Expanding Bed Capacity
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, at the official opening on July 13, highlighted that the campus will add 1,000 acute and community hospital beds when fully operational. This expansion will significantly increase bed capacity in the region.
The new campus has already made a significant impact on neighbouring Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. Minister of Health Ong Ye Kung highlighted that post-pandemic hospital crowding and longer waiting times were driven by older patients with more complex conditions. The average hospital stay increased from six to seven days, adding a 15% patient load. However, with nearly 400 new beds at Woodlands Health and its emergency department handling around 150 patients daily, the burden on Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) has eased.
“The biggest factor is the opening of the Woodlands Health Campus nearby. Nearly 400 beds are opened, its emergency department is attending to about 150 patients a day, and has decanted demand away from KTPH,” Mr. Ong stated on Instagram.
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Enhanced Capacity and Services
Since opening, Woodlands Health has triaged and decanted 350 patients from KTPH’s emergency department. NHG reported improved patient management, with some scheduled specialist appointments advanced from a two-month wait to two weeks. Around 1,100 KTPH patients and 250 TTSH patients have transferred their appointments to Woodlands Health, enhancing access and reducing patient load at other hospitals.
Senior Minister Lee noted, “Residents of Woodlands, Sembawang, Choa Chu Kang, and nearby areas will now have more convenient access to acute hospital services. They can come here instead of travelling to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital or Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.”
Integrated and Comprehensive Care
Woodlands Health Campus integrates an acute hospital, community hospital, and nursing home, offering services ranging from acute emergencies to long-term care, including daycare, home care, nursing care, and palliative care. The campus aims to treat prevalent conditions among young people, such as obesity, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease.
Technological Innovations for Efficiency
Technological advancements at Woodlands Health include an automated pharmacy that reduces waiting times for medication and patient bedside terminals. These terminals allow patients to access their care plans, vital signs charts, and relevant educational resources. This allows patients to participate actively in their recovery journey.
Future Healthcare Sustainability
Despite the immediate relief provided by the new campus, Mr Ong warned that future healthcare sustainability depends on preventive care and healthier lifestyles. “For every patient they uncover, there are probably several undiscovered ones. The future sustainability of healthcare capacity must lie in keeping ourselves through preventive care,” he emphasized.
Long-Term Plans and Challenges
Singapore’s Ministry of Health plans to expand existing hospitals and develop new ones. These include the upcoming Eastern General Hospital in Bedok and Tengah Hospital in the west. However, Mr. Lee cautioned against relying solely on expanding capacity due to fiscal costs, land scarcity, and staffing challenges. He stressed the need for discipline in medical practices and maintaining a balance of subsidies, insurance, and co-payment to avoid unsatisfactory outcomes.
Community and Preventive Care
The Healthier SG initiative aims to foster good patient-doctor relationships, promote healthy lifestyles, and detect diseases early. Mr Ong also highlighted the importance of keeping seniors engaged through Active Ageing Centres to prevent loneliness and promote community involvement.
Conclusion
The opening of Woodlands Health Campus represents a significant step in addressing hospital overcrowding and improving healthcare access in northern Singapore. However, the long-term sustainability of Singapore’s healthcare system will require a focus on preventive care, healthier lifestyles, and efficient resource management.
Photo credit: Woodlands Health
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