{"id":15420,"date":"2025-11-29T15:03:39","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T07:03:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=15420"},"modified":"2025-11-29T15:03:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-29T07:03:39","slug":"singapores-largest-polyclinic-opens-near-serangoon-mrt-station","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=15420","title":{"rendered":"Singapore\u2019s largest polyclinic opens near Serangoon MRT station"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">SINGAPORE &#8211; Serangoon Polyclinic, the largest polyclinic <!-- -->in Singapore<!-- -->, opened its doors on Nov 29 with<!-- --> a new care model that has a healthcare team looking after patients from the same family and a more structured approach to assess and treat frailty. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">It will also be the first NHG Health polyclinic to include oral health in its approach to manage frailty for patients aged 65 and above. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The polyclinic is designed to serve the growing senior population in Serangoon, where about one in five residents is aged\u00a065\u00a0and\u00a0above. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Located across <!-- -->Serangoon Central<!-- --> from Nex shopping mall and Serangoon MRT station, the seven-storey <!-- -->11,600 sq m<!-- --> facility expects to see around 1,300 patients each day, <!-- -->said Dr Liu Changwei, family physician, consultant and head of Serangoon Polyclinic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Advanced practice nurses will identify patients at risk of oral complications, and refer them to the polyclinic\u2019s new dental clinic. Those with more complex needs will be referred to specialised dental care.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">At Serangoon Polyclinic, family members can be cared for by the same team, to improve the continuity of care for families with chronic conditions such as asthma and obesity. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">This \u201cfamily empanelment\u201d care model <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/primary-healthcare-no-longer-just-treats-the-sick-but-also-keeps-people-healthy?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">builds on \u201cteamlet care\u201d,<\/p>\n<p><\/a> where patients see the same team of doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals each time they are at the polyclinic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">For example, children aged between six and 18 with mild to moderate asthma will be placed in the same care team as their parent with chronic conditions. The team can advise on how the lifestyle of family members, such as smoking, affect the child\u2019s asthma.   <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">With the opening of Serangoon Polyclinic, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that Singapore is on track to have 32 polyclinics by 2030. There are now 27 polyclinics across the island. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cEach new polyclinic is a significant step in further strengthening primary care, which is key to maintaining and managing population health as our country ages.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Speaking at the opening ceremony, he said that people now visit polyclinics for a wide range of reasons, including getting health screenings, managing chronic conditions, ensuring infants are taken good care of or for mental health services. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cToday, polyclinics are not just healthcare institutions, but community nodes to advance the well-being of residents.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">He said polyclinics today manage over seven million visits a year, using an appointment-booking basis to minimise waiting times. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/96602b4e11c93c9ffa66f56f87c93d9bf39c56a56532456b7b55a3fc4cb1eabc?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/96602b4e11c93c9ffa66f56f87c93d9bf39c56a56532456b7b55a3fc4cb1eabc?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/96602b4e11c93c9ffa66f56f87c93d9bf39c56a56532456b7b55a3fc4cb1eabc?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/96602b4e11c93c9ffa66f56f87c93d9bf39c56a56532456b7b55a3fc4cb1eabc\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, speaking at the launch of Serangoon Polyclinic on Nov 29.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Addressing <!-- -->concerns<!-- --> that those unfamiliar with the online booking system will be disadvantaged, he said that polyclinics accept walk-ins. <!-- -->Patients who walk in after slots are taken up, especially the very young and old, will be triaged and assessed, and urgent needs will be seen as quickly as possible. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Together, polyclinics and GPs form a \u201cvery strong complementary system\u201d, he added, providing patients with more flexibility to manage their medical conditions when needs arise.   <\/p>\n<figure class=\"portrait inline-media-wrapper\" style=\"--aspect-article-portrait:1008 \/ 1076\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/231a6b3198822fec735d27e45d23957205abc61ec78d863b048a0a751f649532?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/231a6b3198822fec735d27e45d23957205abc61ec78d863b048a0a751f649532?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/231a6b3198822fec735d27e45d23957205abc61ec78d863b048a0a751f649532?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/231a6b3198822fec735d27e45d23957205abc61ec78d863b048a0a751f649532\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-portrait flex items-start shrink-0 portrait article-portrait object-contain mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Serangoon resident Lee Hui Ling, 61, said she will be able to visit the polyclinic together with her 90-year-old mother Yang Mei Yun in a single trip.   <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Ms Lee, a teacher, <!-- -->currently<!-- --> takes her mother to Hougang Polyclinic every four to six months for check-ups. Madam Yang, who has osteoporosis and uses a wheelchair, suffered a stroke in April.   <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Ms Lee, who lives with her mother, visits Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic herself about twice a year to do mammogram screenings and blood tests. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cMy hope would be that even after retirement, I can still visit this polyclinic to continue my check-ups,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Alongside the facility, there will be an expanded dialysis centre planned for February 2027, which will have 30 dialysis stations, supporting 180 end-stage renal failure\u00a0patients.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Like other polyclinics,<!-- --> Serangoon Polyclinic provides <!-- -->treatment for acute conditions, chronic disease management, childhood developmental assessment and immunisation, women\u2019s cancer screening, health education and disease prevention.   <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Dietetics, psychology and diagnostic services<!-- --> are also available here<!-- -->.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The frailty management framework by <!-- -->NHG Health Polyclinics<!-- --> addresses the challenges of frailty, falls, and osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">For elderly patients with mild and moderate frailty, a team of family physicians, care coordinators, nurses and dentists will manage their conditions holistically. Some interventions include the tapering off or stopping of medication, fall prevention, home modification and exercise recommendations.   <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Suitable patients will also be referred to day rehabilitation centres operated by community partners for rehabilitation support.   <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">To <!-- -->get elderly patients engaged in <!-- -->activities, they will be connected to nearby active ageing centres (AAC), including NTUC Health AAC (Serangoon Central) and the upcoming HNF-PCF Sparkle Care-operated AAC (Care), which will be <!-- -->located in the same building as the polyclinic.   <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Serangoon Polyclinic will use an artificial intelligence system to <!-- -->manage <!-- -->vaccinations. The system provides real-time updates on storage temperatures, tracks vaccine inventory and expiry dates, and uses predictive analytics for stock planning. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The polyclinic will also pilot HealthVector Diabetes, a clinical analysis software that can estimate a patient\u2019s three-year risk of developing chronic kidney disease stage 3A \u2013 where there is a mild to moderate loss of kidney function \u2013 and beyond. This is part of NHG Polyclinics\u2019 one-year trial of the software, started in July. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/health\/singapores-largest-polyclinic-opens-near-serangoon-mrt-station\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SINGAPORE &#8211; Serangoon Polyclinic, the largest polyclinic in Singapore, opened its doors on Nov 29 with a new care model that has a healthcare team&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1864,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15420","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15420"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15420\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15420"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15420"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15420"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}