I decided to write this piece to help the uninitiated navigate their way through the Singapore medical system.
On the whole, it is convenient to see a doctor in Singapore. Most Family Physicians or GPs operate walk in clinics. Most Specialists require an appointment but they would also accept walk-in patients if their clinics are not too busy.
So let’s get started.
You have just moved into your brand new apartment in Singapore, happily unpacking your stuff when Oh My God all of a sudden your child falls and hurts his arm.
What to do in an Emergency
The number to call for an ambulance in Singapore is 995. The ambulance will bring you to the closest Public Hospital. You don’t have a choice.
If you wish to get to a particular hospital (most of the time because your insurance policy says you must), please contact one of the private ambulance operators instead. But be prepared for a much tardier response.
List of Private Ambulance Operators:
AME 6247 7080
BLESSWELL 6273 0147
ECON 6382 8888
ER 6222 2995
GREEN CRESCENT 6788 8911
HENG GREF 6788 8911
CIVIC AMBULANCE 6333 3000
If the situation does not require an ambulance, you can make your own way down to either:
1. GP Clinics
2. Hospital Emergency Department
All GP clinics in Singapore are walk in clinics. Just walk into the clinic, register then wait your turn to see the doctor. Of course, in busy clinics, waiting times can be very long.
Many GP clinics open till late. Some even open 24 hours. It’s really useful to scout around your neighborhood to see where the nearest GP clinic is and note their opening hours. Or you can use a locator service like www.streetdirectory.com.sg or www.doctorpage.sg and search for medical clinics.
There are many hospital scattered all about Singapore and all of them have 24 hours emergency departments. Just walk up to the reception counter, register and wait your turn. You will first see the triage nurse then again wait your turn to see the doctor. Be warned that waiting times can be frustratingly long. Arriving in an ambulance automatically classifies the case as ‘Critical’ and bypasses all these steps and heads straight into the critical care room.
Public Hospitals
Singapore General Hospital – Central
Tan Tock Seng Hospital – Central
Khoo Teck Phuat Hospital – North
National University Hospital – West
Changi General Hospital – East
KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital – Central
As the name suggests, this hospital deals with ObGyn and Pediatric cases only.
Private Hospitals
Mount Elizabeth Hospital – Central
Gleneagles Hospital – Central
Raffles Hospital – Central
Once you arrive at the hospital the very professional doctors and nurses will take over and things are pretty much out of your hands. Till its time to settle the (frequently hefty) bill of course.
So now your child’s arm is all fixed and he is happily running and swimming and doing all the things kids do. Then as expected he develops a cough and fever. Soon you and the rest of the family are coughing too.
You decide to head down to the pharmacy/chemist to see what you can find.
What to expect at the Pharmacy/Chemist
Since it is very convenient and relatively inexpensive to see a GP in Singapore, self medicating at a Pharmacy is really not widely practiced. Furthermore, most medicines can only be obtained with a Doctor’s prescription.
Very few medicines are over-the-counter. Most medicines require you to at least speak to a Pharmacist first. The Pharmacist will get an idea of what your symptoms are and make some recommendations on medication.
Regular cough and cold medications can be bought from a Pharmacy. Pain killers, fever medicines, simple creams, simple eye drops and medicines for diarrhea and vomiting can all be obtained from the Pharmacist without a prescription. Antibiotics are a big no-no.
So you and the entire family have been sucking down cough syrups for a week and you still can’t shift that cough. You decide that you need to see a Doctor
Seeing a GP/Family Physician
As you already know, most if not all GP Clinics in Singapore operate on a walk-in first-come-first-serve basis. Seeing a Doctor is as simple as walking in, registering and waiting your turn.
When it comes your turn you’ll see the Doctor and he will do his Doctoring thing.
You then wait to collect your medicines and make payment. That’s right. You do not need to go to a separate pharmacy or chemist for your pills. All GP clinics in Singapore stock medicines. It’s a one-stop shop!
Blood and urine tests are also done at the clinic. The Doctor or his assistant will draw the blood and it is sent off to a lab for analysis. The clinic will then get back to you with the results.
Some clinics even have simple x-ray services. However, most clinics will arrange for you to have your x-rays done at a separate radiology centre.
So you’ve taken your pills, done your blood test and taken your x-rays and guess what? You are still coughing! You see the GP again and he decides its time to send you to see a specialist.
Seeing a Specialist
You actually do NOT need a GP referral to see a Specialist in Singapore. You can literally just pick up the phone and make an appointment to see any specialist you fancy.
Getting your GP to write a referral letter has some advantages. Namely:
1. You require a GP referral letter if you wish to claim the Specialist’s fees back from your insurer.
2. The GP will recommend a Specialist best suited for your condition.
3. The GP can communicate effectively the tests and treatments you have undergone and this will help the Specialist manage your condition
Most Specialists will only see patients with an appointment. Although they will happily accept walk in patients if their clinic is not crazy busy.
It is usually not difficult to get an appointment with a Specialist. Waiting times are generally less than a week. Sometimes, it is even possible to get in to see the Doctor on the same day!
So you’ve seen the specialist, got diagnosed, got treated and the whole family is back to perfect health. You decide to celebrate by packing everyone off to the Botanical Gardens for a relaxing picnic while listening to a free concert.
Heaven knows you need a free concert after the bomb you just spent on medical fees. It’s a good thing you have insurance. Everyone’s kicking back and having a good time when Oh My God all of a sudden your child falls and hurts his foot. Back to part 1.
Hopefully this gives you a good overview of what to expect when you need medical help in Singapore.
