More than 1,000 GP clinics open during Chinese New Year

Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on Sunday, February 15th, that 1,095 general practitioner (GP) clinics will be operating during the Chinese New Year public holidays. This aims to ensure continued access to medical care for residents and visitors during the festive period.

Access to Medical Care During the Holidays

MOH encourages individuals, including children, experiencing minor health issues to visit a GP or a 24-hour clinic. The ministry highlighted the importance of maintaining access to healthcare services while acknowledging the traditional celebrations.

Clinic Availability

According to MOH, 22 clinics will remain open 24 hours a day from February 16th to February 18th. A comprehensive list of clinics and their specific opening hours can be found on the MOH’s GPGoWhere website, allowing users to search by address or postal code.

Did You Know? The MOH’s GPGoWhere website provides a searchable directory of clinics and their holiday hours.

MOH advises the public to contact clinics in advance to schedule an appointment or confirm their opening hours. For guidance on choosing the appropriate medical facility, individuals can call the NurseFirst helpline, which is available daily from 8am to 11pm.

Emergency Services

The Health Ministry stressed that hospital accident and emergency departments should be reserved for serious or life-threatening emergencies, such as chest pain, breathlessness, and uncontrollable bleeding. This is to ensure that emergency resources remain available for those in critical condition.

Expert Insight: Prioritizing GP clinics and 24-hour facilities for non-emergency medical needs is a common strategy during public holidays to alleviate pressure on hospital emergency departments and ensure timely care for critical cases.

To maintain the responsiveness of emergency services, MOH requests that individuals avoid calling 995 unless facing a genuine life-threatening emergency. The ministry emphasized the importance of collective social responsibility in managing healthcare resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many GP clinics will be open during Chinese New Year?

A total of 1,095 general practitioner (GP) clinics will be open at various times during the Chinese New Year public holidays.

Where can I find a list of open clinics?

The Ministry of Health’s (MOH) GPGoWhere website, found at https://go.gov.sg/gpgowhere, lists clinics and their opening hours.

When should I go to a hospital’s emergency department?

Hospitals’ accident and emergency departments should only be used for serious or life-threatening emergencies, such as chest pain, breathlessness, and uncontrollable bleeding.

How might individuals balance celebrating the holidays with responsible healthcare practices?