Originally posted by zaxis:
ITEM FEEDBACK
1 SDF funding disbursement
Funding subsidies for the elderly could be given after the completion of some modules, instead of after the entire course duration. There are programmes lasting seven years, for which SDF funding would only be given at the end of the training period.
MINISTRIESÂ’/ AGENCIESÂ’ REPLIES
WDA
The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) has not come across courses that stretch up to 7 years. The longest courses have been the 4-year and 5-year part-time diploma programmes offered by polytechnics. For such courses, funding by WDA is already broken down into yearly subsidies. Similar treatment is given for other long-drawn courses where training providers can break down the course into modules and WDA then reimburses by modules.
2 Healthcare issues
i) Polyclinic consultation fee
The polyclinic consultation fee has been quietly increased from $8 to $8.70, without any publicity to inform the patients.
MOH
Feedback noted.
ii) Patient downgrade and change of doctor
Patients should not have to change doctors when they downgrade their medical treatment. A participant shared his personal experience where he initially consulted a senior doctor but later needed to downgrade due to a change in financial circumstances. His doctor was kind enough to continue seeing him for the treatment at the lower rates, even though this was not aligned with the hospitalÂ’s policy.
MOH
The provisions of subsidised care in the hospitals are through a medical care team. Each team is headed by a senior. Although a junior doctor may be in charge of a particular patient, each case is being reviewed by a senior doctor from the team. This ensures a high standard of care provided at our hospitals for all subsidized patients.
iii) Blood donor privilege programme
The privilege card for blood donors should be restored, so that they can continue to receive priority treatment at government clinics and hospitals.
MOH
The Medical Benefits Scheme for blood donation has been discontinued because we believe that blood donation should not come with incentives attached.
Else, this may open up the possibility of donors providing false information or cause undue pressure (e.g. the needy may feel pressured to donate blood in order to enjoy medical benefits.)
Hence, new or past donors who have not been donating regularly will not be entitled to any medical benefits as the scheme has ceased.
3 Free parking in HDB car parks on Saturdays
Could there be free parking in HDB car parks on Saturdays to encourage family visits and bonding? It is ironical for the Government to encourage family bonding, yet limit the time which people could spend when visiting their relatives by not providing for free parking. Season-parking ticket holders should be allowed to park at various car parks in Singapore on all days.
HDB
HDB car parks are provided primarily to serve HDB residents and HDB's priority is in meeting their parking needs. Currently, the Free Parking Scheme (FPS), from 7.00 am to 10.30 pm on Sundays and public holidays, is implemented in more than 80 per cent of HDB car parks. The suitability of a car park for FPS is assessed in consultation with local grassroots organisations and the Land Transport Authority. One main consideration is whether FPS will compromise the parking needs of residents.
HDB has considered carefully requests to extend its FPS to Saturdays. If HDB were to extend FPS to Saturdays, the revenue forgone because of the scheme might have to be recovered from other avenues, such as charging more for weekday parking or raising season parking charges. After taking into account the need to regulate parking demand and the impact on parking cost and charges, we have decided not to extend FPS to Saturdays. Nevertheless, HDB will review its parking policies regularly and consider such feedback in its review.
Season parking charges are currently priced at a concessionary rate lower than the equivalent normal hourly parking charges. For motorists who need to park at many different carparks, a monthly parking coupon which allows parking in all HDB/ URA car parks (excluding the EPS car parks) for the whole day is available at $460.00 per month. Besides the monthly parking coupon, motorists can also use whole day parking coupons. The whole day parking coupons are available in two denominations - $10 or $16.50 and allow the holder to park in all URA/ HDB coupon parking places during the car park coupon operational hours.
its called 'templates'
