SINGAPORE - The National Trades Union Congress announced on Wednesday plans to open its first nursing home next year, to address the healthcare needs of the elderly.

The nursing home, located in Jurong West and expected to open in the third quarter of next year, can accommodate up to 290 people.

It will also include a senior care centre that can cater to 60 more seniors.

The Ministry of Health awarded the tender to NTUC Health, which has elderly day care and activity centres, nursing services and clinics under its wing.

NTUC Health operates under the auspices of NTUC Enterprise, which also oversees NTUC FairPrice and NTUC Income.

"NTUC Health's foray into the nursing home space will enable us to provide a more comprehensive suite of health and community care services to fulfill the needs of working families and their elderly dependents. This will become increasingly important as Singapore ages," said NTUC Enterprise chairman Mr Lim Boon Heng.

NTUC Health is also prepared to run five more nursing homes in the next three to five years, he added.

It is hoped that the new nursing home would provide the elderly from working families the option of quality healthcare at an affordable price.