Heart of the Matter Podcast: If more hospital beds isn't the solution, what is?

[LaksaNews]

Patients have reported waiting for days to get a bed at a public hospital. Health experts say the biggest reason is that there are issues transiting to proper care after discharge.

Otelli Edwards speaks to public health specialist Dr Jeremy Lim, Duke-NUS Medical School's Dr David Matchar and Jeremy Lee, assistant chief operating officer at the National University Hospital.

A sign outside Ng Teng Fong hospital's emergency department on Oct 19, 2022, stating that waiting times could go up to 6 hours for a consultation and 50 hours for a bed. (Photo: CNA reader)
Dr Jeremy Lim, public health specialist:

The Singapore healthcare system needs to do much more work in making sure that when patients flow out of the hospital, they flow into safe hands, whether it's in a rehabilitation facility or in a home setting.

Jeremy Lee, assistant chief operating officer at NUH:

We can increase the number of beds but if the system is inefficient, increasing the number of beds is just going to amplify the problem ... we may not be able to find the manpower.

Professor David Matchar from Duke-NUS Medical School:

One thing people can do is to really think twice before going into the hospital ... I think Healthier SG is a healthy move for Singapore in terms of rebalancing the structure of the system.

Jump to these key moments:

• 1:55 How bad is the bed crunch
• 7:46 Do we need more beds?
• 11:27 It costs more to be cared outside of the hospital
• 13:39 No real incentive for people to move out
• 20:39 Bed management is everyone's responsibility
• 22:56 An entire ecosystem needs to be created

Find more episodes of Heart of the Matter here.

A new episode of Heart of the Matter drops every Friday. Follow the podcast on Apple or Spotify for the latest updates.

Have a great topic for us? Drop the team an email at cnapodcasts [at] mediacorp.com.sg

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