SINGAPORE : Polyclinics have been asked to consider setting up specialist family medicine clinics to meet public demand for better service levels.
The suggestion came from the Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, and Health.
Dr Balaji Sadasivan said a recent study showed the public prefer the polyclinic as the site of treatment as it is affordable and close to their homes.
They are, however, dissatisfied with the polyclinics as they felt the medicines are not effective and there is insufficient attention from the doctor.
He also noted some patients want the confidence of a personalised service from a doctor whom they know and who knows them because he is the same doctor at every visit.
Dr Balaji said improving services at the polyclinics would relieve the stress on the specialist clinics in the public hospitals, leading to better overall healthcare.
He also urged the Institute of Mental Health to review its services and work with the polyclinics to bring psychiatric treatment closer to the community.
One option is for psychiatrists to migrate to polyclinics.
The other is to recruit general practitioners into the Ministry's Early Psychosis Intervention Programme, which focuses on early detection of the illness, so they can continue with the follow-up treatment. - CNA