Forum: GP clinics in the community ensure access to primary care

We thank Dr Desmond Wai Chun Tao for his letter “

Have 24-hour clinics beside hospitals to reduce A&E waiting time

” (Jan 27).

Members of the public, including children, who feel unwell are encouraged to visit a general practitioner (GP) clinic for minor conditions. The Ministry of Health’s GP GoWhere website (

go.gov.sg/gpgowhere

) lists nearby clinics with 24-hour operations. These clinics are usually located within the community to ensure that residents have convenient access to care.

Siting 24-hour clinics next to emergency departments would further perpetuate seeking care at hospitals. This runs against the intent of having primary care services within the community, which is to strengthen the doctor-patient relationship in the community and ensure that primary care services are available closer to homes.

We acknowledge Dr Wai’s views that extended clinic hours may benefit patients and their families. We have thus encouraged extended clinic hours under the Price Quality Method tender framework for GP clinics. Under this tender framework, GP clinic operators who commit to longer operational periods to better serve residents are viewed favourably.

Goh Khean Teik (Dr)
Group Director, Health Services Group
Ministry of Health