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Public vs. private: what to expect from a Singapore hospital ward
When you’re seeking medical care in Singapore, usually, the standard and effectiveness of healthcare you receive will be your priority (as it should be). Fortunately, many public and private hospitals in Singapore offer excellent inpatient services and lodging that can often make your treatment and recovery a little bit more bearable. But just so you know, not all hospitals are the same, especially when comparing the private and public sectors.
This Pacific Prime Singapore article will look at the hospital ward options in Singapore and whether private hospitals are better than their public counterparts.
Key differences between the public and private hospitals in Singapore
The public versus private points of difference in Singapore are not dissimilar to those around the rest of the world. We’ve also written about this before, but here’s a quick refresher on what you need to know:
Wait times
Delays in seeking service in the public sector are experienced in Singapore, as much as elsewhere. Public hospitals have seen wait times between 2 and 22 hours to transfer patients from the emergency department to a hospital ward. In contrast, the private sector admits patients within an hour of arrival.
Appointments
Public sector hospitals work on a “first come, first served” basis, with priority cases often shifting lower priority patients further down the list to be seen. Private hospitals ensure capacity so that each patient gets the care required much faster, but this is due as much to their lower patient numbers compared to their staffing levels.
Doctors and hospital staff
Medical professionals in both sectors are highly trained and extremely capable. However, private hospital doctors can often be more experienced due to their competitive nature and higher salaries. Many private sector doctors are ex-public hospital physicians who switched once their experience levels were high enough to take such an opportunity.
Equipment
Due to their higher budgets, Singapore’s private hospitals have more to spend on new tech and innovative treatments. The public sector in Singapore is still well-resourced and works with world-class tier equipment. However, you can expect more advanced machines and medical equipment in private hospitals.
In addition to these differences, the level of comfort a patient can achieve while staying at a hospital can vary depending on where you choose to stay.
The different Singapore hospital ward types
In Singapore, both public and private hospitals will have adequate and comfortable wards. However, many facilities will offer different levels of wards for your hospital stay; the more expensive options offer greater privacy and better amenities. While regaining your health should be your primary concern, it can definitely pay to understand what your stay options might be if you know you’ll be a patient for a while.
What to expect from a public sector hospital ward
Rooms at public hospitals range from crowded, Spartan-type lodgings to modest private rooms with simple amenities. Here are three public hospitals for your reference, which include the room types and amenities, and the rate per day.
1. Singapore General Hospital*
| Room type and amenities | Rate (SGD) |
Standard ward class C – Up to 8 beds in a room
|
From $40.70 per day |
Standard ward type B2 – Up to 6 beds in a room
|
From $57.00 per day |
Standard ward type B1 – 4 beds in a room
|
From $309.31 per day |
Standard ward class A – Single room
|
From $621.00 per day |
2. Changi Hospital*
| Room type and amenities | Rate (SGD) |
| Standard ward class C – Open ward | From $271.00 per day |
| Standard ward class B2 – Up to 6 beds | From $305.83 per day |
| Standard ward class B1 – Up to 4 beds | From $354.28 per day |
| Standard ward class A – Single bed | From $539.00 per day |
Note: Details of ward offerings are not available.
3. KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital*
| Room type and amenities | Rate (SGD) |
Standard ward class C – Up to 8 beds (Children’s wards only)
|
From $38.85 per day |
Standard ward class C – Up to 6 beds (Women wards only)
|
From $38.85 per day |
Standard ward class B2 – Up to 6 beds
|
From $68.00 per day |
Standard ward class B2+ – Up to 5 beds
|
From $214.89 per day |
Standard ward class B1 – Up to 4 beds
|
From $312.31 per day |
Standard ward class A1 – Single bed
|
From $603.72 per day |
* Note: Updated as of August 18th, 2023. All prices are subject to change without prior notice. For the most accurate cost for your treatment, please enquire at the hospital directly.
What to expect from a private sector hospital ward
The private hospital sector is where the truly luxurious options are, many of which are compared to five-star hotel stays. Here are three private hospitals to reference, which includes their room types and amenities as well as rate per day.
1. Gleneagles Singapore**
| Room type and amenities | Rate (SGD) |
Single Room – 1 bed
|
From $788.00 per day |
Single Heritage Room
|
From $880.00 per day |
4-bedded Room
|
From $277.00 per day |
Superior Room
|
From $1108.00 per day |
Executive Suite
|
From $1,398.00 per day |
Ardmore / Botanic / Cluny Suite
|
From $1,698.00 per day |
Dalvey / Executive Deluxe Suite
|
From $1,698.00 per day |
Dempsey Suite
|
From $1,898.00 per day |
Napier/Nassim Suite
|
From $3,448.00 per day |
Tanglin Suite
|
From $6,598.00 per day |
Gleneagles Suite
|
From $8,198.00 per day |
2. Parkway East Hospital**
| Room type and amenities | Rate (SGD) |
Single Room
|
From $770.00 per day |
2-Bedded Room
|
From $360.00 per day |
4-Bedded Room
|
From $258.00 per day |
Deluxe Room
|
From $908.00 per day |
Orchid/Hibiscus Suite
|
From $998.00 per day |
3. Mount Elizabeth Hospital**
| Room type and amenities | Rate (SGD) |
Single Room (Orchard)
|
From $790.00 per day |
2-Bedded Room (Orchard)
|
From $428.00 per day |
4-Bedded Room (Orchard)
|
From $295.00 per day |
Executive Deluxe Suite (Orchard)
|
From $1,398.00 per day |
Daffodil or Magnolia Suites (Orchard)
|
From $2,948.00 per day |
VIP Room (Orchard)
|
From $4,348.00 per day |
Royal Suite (Orchard)
|
From $6,098.00 per day |
** Note: Updated as of August 18th, 2023. All prices are subject to change without prior notice. Please inquire at the hospital for the most accurate cost for your treatment.
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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