RESPONSIVENESS OF EMERGENCY MONITORING AND RESPONSE SERVICE AT HDB’S 2-ROOM FLEXI FLATS FOR SENIORS

Recently, at MPS, I learnt from my resident that he unsuccessfully called for help from his studio apartment. I was concerned about the matter. I felt it necessary that the emergency monitory and response service to be upgraded in the studio apartments such that they are of the same standard as the ones implemented in HDB’s new community care apartments. I therefore asked the Minister for Health whether regular audits are conducted to ensure the responsiveness of this service and inquired about the ongoing steps to bolster its reliability. I also queried if there are considerations to upgrade this service to align it with the standards set for community care apartments. My PQ and his answer are set out below.

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Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Health (a) whether there is a system of regular audits done in relation to the responsiveness of the emergency monitoring and response service at HDB’s 2-room flexi flats for seniors; (b) what steps are being taken to ensure the reliability of this service; and © whether the service may be upgraded to the level for that in community care apartments.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: We understand that the Member has encountered a case where an elderly resident sounded the alarm at night, but the response from the neighbours only came an hour later. We are reviewing the response mechanism. Proper maintenance of hardware and prompt response will likely require various parties such as the Housing and Development Board, Town Councils, Agency for Integrated Care, Active Ageing Centres, respondents (Police, Singapore Civil Defence Force, CISCO) and neighbours to come together.