Can you locate your nearest 24-hour clinic or after-hours family doctor? Keep this list of 24-hour GPs handy!
On my first Mother’s Day as a new mum, I waited five hours in a children’s emergency ward rather than one of the many 24-hour family clinics we have here in Singapore. My almost one-year-old son wasn’t in an emergency situation. My son had nicked the tip of his finger on a shard of broken glass, but there was a lot of blood. We’re talking crime scene amounts of blood, and the bleeding wouldn’t stop. Of course, I panicked.
I was home alone, my husband was overseas, my helper was away, and my support group of mums were all out to Mother’s Day lunch. I had no idea where to go in what felt like an urgent but not an emergency situation. So we ended up spending the whole day in the emergency ward.
The point here is you don’t need to go to a hospital emergency ward (ER) in situations that are not an emergency. You can save time and make room for those in real emergencies. Instead, choose a 24-hour family clinic or after-hours doctor for non-urgent situations. Learn from my mistakes (there are many!).
Covid-19 Protocol for medical settings in Singapore
While mask-wearing is no longer mandatory in most public settings in Singapore, the Ministry of Health still adheres to mask-wearing for visitors, staff, and patients in healthcare and residential care settings. If heading to a clinic, ensure you and kiddo are masked up.
All clinics in Singapore implement Covid-19 screenings depending on your child’s symptoms. There could be charges for this PCR Screening for individuals. As such, you can consider taking an Antigen Rapid Test prior at home if necessary.
24-hour clinics and family GPs in Singapore
Here’s what you need to know
- You’ll need the baby’s passport, birth certificate or ID, and a credit card when you get to the hospital or clinic.
- KKH is the largest women’s and children’s hospital on the island. Its emergency service is excellent, but the average wait stated is *four hours* – even longer if you’re triaged and your case isn’t as urgent as others. So know your alternatives!
How much do 24-hour family clinics cost?
24-hour clinics have two tiers of consultation charges: one during regular hours and an after-hours charge that may be implemented at midnight. These charges may vary from clinic to clinic. Nevertheless, you can expect to pay around $80 to $150 in consultation charges alone, on top of the standard charges for any procedures or medications kiddo might require.
24-hour family clinics in central Singapore
Thompson Medical Centre (as well as emergency, there’s a 24-hour family clinic)
339 Thomson Road, Singapore 307677
Tel: 6250 2222
www.thomsonmedical.com
Mount Elizabeth Novena (A&E and a 24-hour on-call paediatrician)
38 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore 329563
Tel: 6898 6898
www.mountelizabeth.com.sg
Unihealth 24-Hour Clinic Group (Toa Payoh)
#01-218, 178 Toa Payoh Central, Singapore 310178
Tel: 6203 1639
www.unihealthclinic.sg
24-hour family clinics in the north of Singapore
Central 24-HR Clinic Group (Yishun)
#01-04, Block 701A Yishun Avenue 5, Singapore 761701
Tel: 6759 7985
www.centralclinic.com.sg
Unihealth 24-Hour Clinic Group (Yishun)
#01-99, 103 Yishun Ring Road, Singapore 760103
Tel: 6517 9598
https://www.unihealthclinic.sg
Central 24-HR Clinic Group (Woodlands)
#02-06A, Woodlands Mart, Block 768 Woodlands Avenue 6, Singapore 730768
Tel: 6365 4895
www.centralclinic.com.sg
Central 24-HR Clinic Group (Marsiling)
#01-185, Block 303 Woodlands Street 31, Singapore 730303
Tel: 6365 2908
www.centralclinic.com.sg
DA Clinic @ Ang Mo Kio
#01-2407, 525 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, Singapore 560525
Tel: 3165 0147
www.doctoranywhere.com
24-hour family clinics in the northeast of Singapore
Central 24-HR Clinic Group (Hougang)
#01-831, Block 681 Hougang Avenue 8, Singapore 530681
Tel: 6387 6965
www.centralclinic.com.sg
24-hour family clinics in the east
Central 24-HR Clinic Group (Bedok)
#01-124, Block 219 Bedok Central, Singapore 460219
Tel: 6247 6122
www.centralclinic.com.sg
Central 24-HR Clinic Group (Tampines)
#01-1151, Block 201D Tampines Street 21, Singapore 524201
Tel: 6968 7001
www.centralclinic.com.sg
Central 24-HR Clinic Group (Pasir Ris)
#01-122, Block 446 Pasir Ris Drive 6, Singapore 510446
Tel: 6582 2640
www.centralclinic.com.sg
Raffles Medical Airport 24-Hour Clinic
#B2-01, Changi Airport Terminal 3, 65 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819663
Tel: 6241 8818
www.rafflesmedicalgroup.com
24-hour family clinics in the west of Singapore
Central 24-HR Clinic Group (Clementi)
#01-291, Block 450 Clementi Avenue 3, Singapore 120450
Tel: 6773 2925
www.centralclinic.com.sg
Central 24-HR Clinic Group (Jurong West)
#01-54, Block 492 Jurong West Street 41, Singapore 640492
Tel: 6565 7484
www.centralclinic.com.sg
Central 24-HR Clinic Group (Pioneer North)
#01-160, Block 959 Jurong West Street 92, Singapore 640959
Tel: 6251 2775
www.centralclinic.com.sg
Unihealth 24-Hour Clinic Group (Jurong East)
#01-317, 135 Jurong Gateway Road, Singapore 600135
Tel: 6970 5868
www.unihealthclinic.sg
And a few more top tips from what I’ve learnt…
- When babies bleed, you cannot think straight. You need an action plan.
- Find a local doctor who’s open on a Sunday and write their details on the plan.
- Doing a first aid course covering minor injuries, not just life-threatening situations, is a good idea.
- Having a well-organised first aid box is critical when you can’t think straight.
- Discuss your plan with your helper, and prepare a secure pack with a photocopy of your passports, credit card details, and some taxi money.
Note: In an emergency situation, go to your nearest hospital, or call an ambulance on (+65) 995.
