Think tank calls for prescribing rights to be extended to Singapore’s GPs

The Social Market Foundation Think Tank has proposed a potential solution to challenges facing the UK's National Health Service (NHS) by drawing inspiration from the Singaporean healthcare system. The think tank's briefing paper outlines the benefits of incorporating Singaporean-style polyclinics and allowing GPs from Singapore to prescribe medicines to British patients. This approach aims to address the increasing difficulty in accessing GP appointments in the UK, particularly in areas with poor medical care access. By leveraging the efficiency of Singapore's healthcare system, the think tank suggests that these measures could alleviate pressure on UK GPs and improve overall healthcare accessibility.

The paper highlights the success of Singapore's healthcare system, which spends 4.4% of its national income on healthcare compared to the UK's higher expenditure. Despite the lower spending, Singapore achieves impressive health outcomes, such as a lower infant mortality rate, lower levels of obesity, and a higher life expectancy. The proposal emphasises the role of Singaporean polyclinics in offering cost-effective healthcare solutions, urging the UK to trial similar facilities in areas with inadequate access to primary care services. By adopting this model, the polyclinics could efficiently handle both acute and chronic patients, potentially reducing waiting times and backlogs.

In addition to advocating for polyclinics, the think tank recommends liberalising prescribing rights for Singaporean telemedicine providers in the UK. This move aims to enhance accessibility to healthcare for British patients, particularly those facing challenges in securing appointments with their GP. The proposal suggests that allowing Singaporean doctors to prescribe medicines to UK patients through telemedicine could provide an affordable and high-standard healthcare option, benefiting low-income individuals in Britain.