SINGAPORE - A new building next to Changi General Hospital (CGH) and St Andrew's Community Hospital (SACH) was opened on Wednesday morning, adding an additional 20 beds to help slightly ease a severe bed crunch in Singapore's public hospitals.

Jointly managed by the two hospitals, the 280-bed Integrated Building will provide geriatric, psychology and rehabilitation services, among other things.

One ward belongs to CGH, the other to SACH.

More wards will open gradually at the building, which is expected to be fully operational by July. Health minister Gan Kim Yong visited the new building on Wednesday morning.