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. 2019 Oct 17;11(10):2492. doi: 10.3390/nu11102492

Table A1.

Description of LTCFs in Singapore (based on 2018 data from https://www.moh.gov.sg/resources-statistics/singapore-health-facts/health-facilities).

Category of Nursing Homes Description
1 Public or Voluntary Welfare Organizations’ (VWO) or Not-For-Profit Nursing Homes
(n= 44)
  • Public LTCF refer to those owned/controlled by a government unit or another public corporation.

  • Not-for-profit LTCF refer to those providing health services but not permitted to be a source of income, profit or financial gain.

  • Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents who meet the means-test criteria are referred through Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to VWO Nursing Homes.

  • May or may not receive Ministry of Health (MOH) subsidies to fund up to 75% of the fees payable by patients.

  • For those that do not receive MOH subsidies – may be funded through the Home’s own fund-raising efforts and patients’ fees.

  • The VWOs may provide additional support through Medifund (A Government Endowment Fund for the needy patients) and VWO welfare fund if the patients require further financial and social assistance.

2 Private Nursing Homes which are under MOH portable subsidy scheme
(n= 21)
  • Private LTCF refer to those for the purpose of providing health services and are capable of generating a profit or financial gains.

  • The MOH has extended subsidies to patients admitted to accredited private homes who meet the means-test criteria since 2003.

  • A certain proportion of their beds are set aside for residents who are eligible for MOH subsidies and referred through AIC.

  • This scheme allows for more private homes to participate in the provision of MOH-subsidised care.

3 Private Nursing Homes which are not under the MOH portable subsidy scheme
(n= 7)
  • Private LTCF refer to those for the purpose of providing health services and are capable of generating a profit or financial gains.

  • Self-admission or referral.

  • For full fee paying patients

AIC: Agency of Integrated Care - the main coordinating body for the support of aged care services in Singapore, LTCF: Long-Term Care Facilities, MOH: Ministry of Health, VWO: Voluntary Welfare Organisation.