SINGAPORE — The base salary for senior public sector doctors will increase by nine per cent to keep pace with market trends, said Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor in Parliament today (March 12).

Speaking during the Health Ministry Committee of Supply debate, Dr Khor said that this increase — kicking in next month — will be “over and above” the pay increment given in April 2012.

Some 4,000 senior public sector doctors will also come under a new remuneration framework that recognises doctors for their roles in education, research and administration apart from their work in clinical care, she added.

For senior public sector dentists, Dr Khor said that they will similarly be receiving the same pay adjustments as doctors and will come under the new remuneration framework.

She noted that senior medical professionals in the public sector leave for reasons ranging from working hours to wanting to have their own clinic practices. While the ministry cannot fulfil all aspirations, “we can do more to recognise the important roles that our healthcare professionals play by paying them more competitively … and supporting their professional development”, added Dr Khor.

In terms of primary care capacity, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong announced that four new polyclinics will be established by 2020 and another six to eight more by 2030. This is on top of the upcoming polyclinics in Pioneer and Punggol by 2017. Currently, there are 18 polyclinics all over the island.

To improve accessibility to polyclinic services, Mr Gan added that the new polyclinic models will also be co-located with community facilities where feasible. For instance, the redeveloped Bedok polyclinic will be situated within an integrated Community Hub, he said.

“We need to further strengthen primary care so that residents can be better cared for in the community,” said Mr Gan.