CREATING MORE BEDS, OFFERING ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
Hospitals under the National University Health System (NUHS) – the National University Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Alexandra Hospital – have also been implementing measures to improve wait times, a spokesperson told CNA.
“For example, NUH has created additional beds by converting existing spaces and inpatient wards to help alleviate the high attendance and patient traffic, such as the new set-up of the second Acute Medical Unit,” the spokesperson said.
“Operating hours of allied health support services, including radiology and physiotherapy, have also been extended during weekdays as well as over weekends to manage the increased workload.”
At Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, more beds in the ambulatory ward for day surgery patients are being used for inpatients, while more basic care assistants have been recruited.
“Locum nurses have also been brought in to support patient care at the emergency department,” the spokesperson said.
“Family members are engaged for caregiver training so that they can better care for patients when they are discharged home.
“Patients are also referred to community partners for follow-up support such as medication adherence and meals on wheels services.”
Alexandra Hospital, which had the lowest median waiting times during the week of Apr 9 to Apr 15, has also been taking in patients from the other two NUHS hospitals.
Where clinically appropriate, NUHS hospitals have been offering alternative arrangements for their patients, such as teleconsultation, tele-rehabilitation, tele-monitoring, remote prescribing and delivery of medication, the spokesperson said.
“We seek the public’s understanding that longer waiting time is expected at our emergency departments and priority will be given to patients with more serious conditions and who require admission,” the spokesperson said.
“Only people with serious or life-threatening emergencies, such as chest pain, breathlessness and uncontrollable bleeding, should visit the emergency department as this allows those in need of emergency care to be attended to quickly and helps to preserve the hospital’s capacity for those who truly need acute hospital care.
“We urge members of the public to visit their general practitioners or a 24-hour clinic for non-emergencies.”