Residents to Register with General Practitioners for Ongoing Health Support Starting Next Year
SINGAPORE: Starting next year, Singapore residents will be encouraged to register with a general practitioner (GP) or a polyclinic doctor of their choice, marking the beginning of a new approach to primary care, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH) announcement on Wednesday (March 9).
This new system, part of the Healthier SG initiative, aims to provide continuous care throughout an individual’s life by working closely with family physicians, who will manage a range of health needs, ensuring consistency in care delivery. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung highlighted during the Committee of Supply debate that the program would likely begin with those in their 40s, a demographic more prone to chronic health conditions.
Residents will be grouped for registration based on their place of residence. Currently, nearly 90% of people see a family doctor or hospital near their home. However, residents are still free to choose a doctor located farther away, such as those they’ve known since childhood. The program allows for flexibility, enabling people to change their family doctor if they move or feel the need for a different provider.
This initiative represents a key component of the Healthier SG strategy, designed to reform the healthcare system by integrating GPs into the public health ecosystem and emphasising preventive care. Studies show that individuals who regularly visit a single family doctor tend to be healthier, with fewer hospital visits. The Ministry aims to reduce “doctor-hopping” – where individuals consult multiple physicians for different health concerns without having a consistent care provider who understands their overall health and family history.
Healthcare Clusters to Coordinate Family Doctor Integration
The three national healthcare clusters – National University Health System (NUHS), National Healthcare Group (NHG), and SingHealth – will work with GPs to integrate them into the public healthcare network. These clusters will coordinate the national enrolment programme, which will focus on up to 1.5 million residents in each region. This will also involve data sharing and collaborative care models.
Hospitals will refer patients to their enrolled family doctor upon discharge to ensure continuity of care. Specialists, family physicians, and allied health professionals may work together to address patients’ more complex needs.
Healthier SG and Financial Reforms in Healthcare
As part of broader reforms, the Ministry will transition to a capitation funding model for healthcare clusters, where each cluster receives a set fee based on the residents in their region, rather than being paid for the volume of services provided. This shift will incentivise the clusters to focus more on preventive care to keep residents healthy.
The new funding model will also allow greater flexibility for healthcare clusters to innovate in patient care, potentially reducing costs by offering services in lower-cost care settings. Quality metrics such as patient outcomes and health habits will guide funding allocations.
Investing in Workforce and Technology for Healthcare Transformation
The Ministry has also committed to strengthening its workforce, particularly in family medicine, by expanding training and providing new graduates with broader experiences. Technology will play a critical role in the reform, with the development of the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR) system to allow data sharing among care teams.
To ensure secure data handling, the government will introduce a Health Information Bill, regulating the access and sharing of medical records. This legislation aims to maintain privacy and improve collaboration across healthcare services.
