Community Hospitals Raise Fees.

[tom]

Who were they ?

1. Ang Mo Kio-Thye Hua Kwan Hospital.
2. ST Andrew's Community Hospital.
3. ST Luke's Hospital.
4. Bright Vision Hospital.
5. Ren Ci Community Hospital.
6. Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital.

What do they provide ?

They are part of the critical health-care system providing after-care nursing and rehabilitation services to discharged patients from the General Hospitals.

In today's recession, workers retrenched, many Singaporeans are in trouble, yet instead of helping the sick and old, revised ward charges for the cheapest bed went up as high as $50.00

On the one hand, the authorities had to take money from reserves to help the industries and Singaporeans, on the other hand, even the most basic need for after-care rehabilitation services, prices rocketed.  Surprisingly, when contacted, the health authority just said a few nice words.

" Any price increase in health care is not welcome "  Any  3 year old nursery kid can say this lah. Right ?

[tom]

Health Minister, who was speaking at the Ren Ci Charity Dinner on Friday evening, said the government would continue to expand and develop its range of nursing care services for elderly Singaporeans.

"We will not let you down as we will not let your elderly patients down. These are our fellow Singaporeans. On my part, I will continue to do my best to keep healthcare (costs) affordable, so that all Singaporeans can age with grace, dignity and peace of mind, and in the company of their loved ones," Mr Khaw said.

  In the company of their loved ones  How is this possible ?

To achief this, 3 nurses had to do 3 shifts working 8 hours at home in each rotation. This is what the nursing homes had been doing, working in shifts duties, attending to bedbound or semi-bedbound patients round the clock ? Who can afford this ? Probably people who are making above $100,000 per month. 

The above manpower is necessary for the sick to age with GRACE, DIGNITY, PEACE OF MIND. Can employing a maid do the job? IT's impossible.

[tom]

It is now known that the General Hospitals and the Community Hospitals use different methods to determine if a patient is to be given a subsidy.  Both are hospitals with the same patient, but subsidies are gauged differently. 

The reason?

Patients in the General Hospitals stays for a short period, so mean testing is simple, based on the family's total income. Those with no income are calculated based on the type of house they owned. HDB OK, got subsidy, condominium and landed property, no OK so no subsidy.

In a recent parliamentary session, the health boss, said he will look into the matter.

[tom]

The end stage of a terminally ill person needs  " Palliative Care ". The provider is the " HOSPICE ". Palliative medicine is about improving the quality of life for people with terminal illnesses such as end-stage cancer or other related body organ failures.

The hospice manages pain, nursing care, counselling, provides social, emotional, spiritual needs of both the patient and family members.

There are a few Hospices in Singapore, namely:

1. Assissi Hospice
2. HCA Hospice

At a dialogue session  recently, the Health Minister urged Singaporeans to use the present lighter workload during this recession as an opportunity to start a healthy lifestyle.