Medical practice in Singapore is of a very high standard and is the best within the Southeast Asian region.

It is important to learn how to respond to emergencies and how to call for assistance. Leave important numbers in a prominent place at home: a great place is on your fridge. If you have a domestic helper, you need to instruct her how to respond in an emergency, where to call and what to say.

Medicine in Singapore is modelled on the British system, and doctors have standard compulsory university/hospital training. Many of the specialists are trained in the USA, UK, and Australia.

Specialist referral by a general practitioner (GP) is not a requirement in Singapore; however, it is preferable to have a GP with access to x-ray/pathology and who can recommend the appropriate specialists. Insurance companies often require a referral to a specialist from a GP.

It is a good idea to have details of past medical history, including vaccinations, when seeing your GP for the first time.

Medications are readily available in Singapore and most GP practices dispense these at the clinic. Alternatively, a prescription may be issued for dispensing at a pharmacy, as in some other countries. The brand name may be different, so it is helpful to take this or the generic name with you for the visit.

Hospital Information

It is useful to know company arrangements for insurance/payment prior to arrival, as the hospital will ask how you are paying. Details of your insurance cover should be kept on hand.

Emergencies

Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments at the hospitals are open 24/7 and have access to “on-call” specialists. They can be more expensive and very busy, and should be used only for emergency care. In the event a sick or injured person requires assistance by ambulance to get to a hospital, try to understand if that person is insured on an expat insurance health plan and, if so, contact a private ambulance service first. A public service, such as the Singapore Civil Defence Ambulance Service will take the person to the nearest public hospital only and not the private hospital of your choice.


Private Ambulance (Heng-Gref)

6272 6018

Singapore Civil Defence Ambulance

995

Police

999

Fire

995

Non-Emergency Ambulance 

1777

Please note that 995 for emergencies will call the government ambulance that takes you to the nearest government hospital A&E department. You may then request transfer to a hospital of your choice.

To go to a private hospital, phone the A&E department of that hospital and request an ambulance to take you there. Generally, the ambulances drive at the same speed as the traffic, and may not run their sirens. If the person can walk, it may be quicker to go by car or taxi. Paramedic services are also available.

Medical Evacuation

Major medical evacuation services represented in Singapore are:

International SOS

6338 2311

AXA

6322 2566

World Access

6535 5833

Global Assistance And Healthcare

1800 621 1105

Visit  Expat Insurance Pte Ltd   to find out more about Danielle's  work.

_{This post was originally published on Expat Insurance News January 2016 and has been reposted on Executive Lifestyle with the permission of the author.
Edited by Nedda Chaplin} 

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