These clinics, which bring together private sector doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to deliver integrated services, aim to enable resource sharing, economies of scale and team-based care in the community.
The idea of setting up family medicine clinics was mooted in October, as part of the Health Ministry's plans to enhance primary care for Singaporeans with chronic illnesses and the elderly.
In his latest blog post on Monday, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said he has been meeting up with GPs at engagement sessions together with Minister of State, Dr Amy Khor.
In his discussion with them on family medicine clinics, he said GPs had mixed reactions to the proposal.
Some solo GPs were "understandably concerned" about the possible competition such clinics may pose to them.
But there were also GPs who were keen to collaborate under this model.
Mr Gan said his ministry's Regional Health Systems are currently in preliminary discussions with GPs who have come forward to explore setting up family medicine clinics.
On the proposal to set up community health centres, Mr Gan said GPs have given strong support to the idea.
These centres aim to provide off-site ancillary support services such as health education, diabetic retinal photography and diabetic foot screening to GPs.
Mr Gan said some GPs suggested that these centres can provide administrative support, such as claims and data submissions, and relieve the doctors from such chores to focus more on patient care.
Another suggestion was to include a pharmacy within these centres for the convenience of patients.
Mr Gan said MOH will study the feedback carefully, as the configuration of the centres must meet the needs of patients and GPs.
Mr Gan added that GPs were also supportive of the proposal to have medical centres sited in the community to provide specialist services, such as day surgery for cataract removal.
He said with the support of specialists in these medical centres, GPs can co-manage patients with more complex but stable conditions in the community as part of shared care programmes.
GPs can also refer their patients for simple surgical procedures that can be safely managed in the community.
Singaporeans will also find these specialist services more convenient compared to going to specialist outpatient clinics in hospitals.
Mr Gan said he will continue to engage GPs to seek their feedback on MOH's primary care masterplan.
- CNA/cc
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