The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 3 No. 37 - Dementia

SFP Vol37(3)supp.Unit5

Chong Mei Sian
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 3 No 37 - Dementia
30 - 41
1 June 2011
0377-5305
From 1 Nov 2011, Dementia will be included into the CDMP. This is expected to bring about better health outcomes for patients who will have better control of their conditions with close supervision from their doctors. Together with Bipolar disorder to be added in, there will be a total of 10 chronic diseases that could use Medisave for chronic disease management. For new diagnosis of dementia or suspected cognitive impairment, when in doubt, it is advisable to consult or refer to a geriatrician/ psychiatrist/ neurologist for confirmation as these diagnoses carry long term medical and legal implication. Existing patients with dementia in the RHs or IMH are recommended to be assessed by geriatricians/ psychiatrists/their primary care physician to be suitable for follow-up in the community by GP clinics or polyclinics, which are participating in Shared Care or GP Partnership Programmes. Clinics enrolled under the Medisave for CDMP are required to provide all the essential care components detailed in the DMP. The basis for diagnosis and management of dementia should conform to the prevailing MOH Clinical Practice Guidelines. There is a list investigations, drugs and therapies for the evaluation and management of dementia for which Medisave use can be allowed. As part of the national effort under this Programme, the Health Promotion Board has prepared Patient Education Booklets for dementia. Participating medical institutions must monitor the quality of care that patients receive.