Introduction
Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH) is a public hospital in Jurong, Singapore. It is one of the largest hospitals in Singapore, with over 2,000 beds and more than 3,000 staff members. NTFGH provides a wide range of services, including emergency care, medical care, surgical care, and rehabilitation.
The emergency department (ED) at NTFGH is one of the busiest in Singapore, with over 100,000 visits per year. The ED is staffed by a team of experienced doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing high-quality care to patients.
Despite the high volume of patients, the ED at NTFGH has been able to maintain a relatively short waiting time. In 2025, the average waiting time for patients in the ED was 30 minutes. This is significantly shorter than the average waiting time for patients in the EDs of other public hospitals in Singapore.
Factors Contributing to Short Waiting Times
There are a number of factors that have contributed to the short waiting times in the ED at NTFGH. These factors include:
- Efficient triage system: The triage system at NTFGH is designed to quickly identify patients who need immediate medical attention. This helps to ensure that patients who are in need of urgent care are seen by a doctor as soon as possible.
- Dedicated team of healthcare professionals: The ED at NTFGH is staffed by a team of experienced doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing high-quality care to patients. This team is able to quickly assess patients and provide them with the necessary treatment.
- Use of technology: The ED at NTFGH uses a variety of technology to help improve patient flow. This technology includes electronic medical records, self-service kiosks, and automated medication dispensing systems.
Comparison of Waiting Times
The following table compares the average waiting times in the EDs of NTFGH and other public hospitals in Singapore in 2025:
| Hospital | Average Waiting Time |
|---|---|
| NTFGH | 30 minutes |
| SGH | 60 minutes |
| CGH | 90 minutes |
| TTSH | 120 minutes |
Current Status and Future Plans
The ED at NTFGH has been able to maintain a relatively short waiting time despite the high volume of patients. However, the hospital is aware that the waiting time can increase during peak hours. In order to address this issue, NTFGH is planning to expand the ED and hire more staff. The hospital is also exploring the use of new technology to further improve patient flow.
What Can Be Done?
There are a number of things that can be done to help reduce the waiting time in the ED at NTFGH. These include:
- Patients can visit the ED during off-peak hours. The ED is typically busiest during peak hours, which are typically between 10am and 4pm. By visiting the ED during off-peak hours, patients can avoid the longest lines.
- Patients can use the self-service kiosks. The ED at NTFGH has a number of self-service kiosks that patients can use to check in and register for care. This can help to reduce the amount of time that patients spend waiting in line.
- Patients can ask for a referral from their primary care physician. If a patient is experiencing a non-urgent medical condition, they may be able to get a referral from their primary care physician to see a specialist in the ED. This can help to reduce the waiting time in the ED.
Conclusion
The ED at NTFGH is one of the busiest in Singapore, but it has been able to maintain a relatively short waiting time. This is due to a number of factors, including an efficient triage system, a dedicated team of healthcare professionals, and the use of technology. The hospital is planning to expand the ED and hire more staff in order to address the increasing volume of patients.
