A new integrated health-care complex, which includes an acute care hospital, community hospital and nursing home, will open in phases from 2022 in Woodlands.

When completed, the development will provide some 1,800 beds.

The complex will be built on a 7.7ha site along Woodlands Avenue 12 and Woodlands Drive 17, opposite Christ Church Secondary. It will be within walking distance to the future Woodlands South MRT Station.

Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan said at a community event on Saturday that the management of Alexandra Health Systems has been tasked with planning the Woodlands General Hospital.

He called the new Woodlands complex an "exciting development" and challenged the planning team to look 20 to 30 years ahead to plan for the future health-care needs of Singaporeans. He proposed that the team look at Japan and the Scandinavian countries which are experienced in providing care for the elderly.

"I expect the facilities to deliver good quality health-care efficiently but I would also like the campus to be very open and welcoming, full of life, health promoting and fully connected to surrounding residents," said Mr Khaw at an event at Woodlands Civic Centre organised by Sembawang GRC.

Woodlands General Hospital is located in Sembawang GRC where Mr Khaw is a Member of Parliament. Mr Khaw was speaking at an event at Woodlands Civic Centre organised by the GRC.

The new general hospital is one of four announced last year to be built between 2020 and 2030. The locations of the other three hospitals have not been identified.

In the nearer term, the Ng Teng Fong General Hospital in Jurong will open by December this year, while the one in Sengkang is slated to be ready by 2018. Both will house an acute care as well as a community hospital.