MOH Adds 500 New Hospital Beds, Plans for 800 More to Address Bed Shortages

SINGAPORE: In response to ongoing bed shortages, Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has added approximately 500 new hospital beds, with plans for an additional 800 by the year’s end, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced on October 2. The increase, including beds in acute and community hospitals, nursing homes, and mobile care units, is part of a broader strategy to boost healthcare capacity by the equivalent of one-and-a-half regional hospitals.

Speaking at the opening of Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Integrated Care Hub (TTSH-ICH), Minister Ong highlighted the importance of the new facility, which adds 608 rehabilitation and palliative care beds to the city’s 17-hectare Health City Novena. The Novena health district, which includes facilities like Ren Ci Hospital and the National Neuroscience Institute, offers seamless patient transitions from acute care to rehabilitation and recovery.

The public healthcare system in Singapore has faced significant stress since the COVID-19 pandemic, as infrastructure delays and an aging population have increased patient volume. In April, median hospital waiting times rose from five to 7.2 hours, further underscoring the urgent need for expanded capacity.

Several major projects are underway to address these challenges. Besides the Tan Tock Seng expansion, Singapore’s Eastern Integrated Health Campus near Bedok North MRT and the phased opening of the Woodlands Health Campus later this year will add further capacity, easing the load on hospitals like Khoo Teck Puat.

Additionally, the Mobile Inpatient Care-at-Home (MIC@Home) programme, launched in April 2022, has provided “virtual” hospital care for around 1,000 patients, saving approximately 7,000 bed days. The initiative allows selected patients to receive treatment from home, bridging the gap between hospital and home care. This pilot, initially offered by hospitals under the National University Health System, now includes Changi General Hospital, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Sengkang General Hospital, and Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Singapore’s ageing population has amplified demand for healthcare, with citizens aged 65 and above rising from 11.7% in 2013 to 19.1% in 2023. The expansion of hospital beds and virtual care options marks a crucial step in addressing Singapore’s evolving healthcare needs.