Polyclinics to train all front-line staff to better help people with intellectual disabilities
A new health communication passport will capture the communication preferences and support needs of these patients.
All front-line staff at Singapore's polyclinics will undergo training by 2027 to effectively engage with and support individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism, according to new measures announced by the Ministry of Health on October 4. The initiative aims to enhance healthcare services for people with disabilities (PWDs) beyond physical accessibility.
Additional measures include priority queueing to minimize waiting times for patients experiencing behavioral or anxiety-related difficulties. By 2028, at least three selected polyclinics from each of the three public healthcare clusters will offer enhanced support for those with more complex needs. These clinics will provide pre-visit preparation for patients and caregivers, extended consultation periods, and caregiver support in scheduling appointments and follow-up care.
In a pilot project, NHG Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic's SPARk Clinic has been expanded to NHG Khatib Polyclinic by the end of 2026. This initiative, which comes from recommendations by the Taskforce on Assurance for Families with Persons with Disabilities, addresses the challenging environment for PWDs and caregivers in existing healthcare systems.
The new measures will involve training healthcare staff, implementing a Health Communication Passport to capture patients' communication preferences, and creating a supportive environment to reduce anxiety and improve diagnosis accuracy.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
