PaedsENGAGE is a pilot programme led by KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) and National University Hospital (NUH), funded by the Ministry of Health (MOH). The aim of this programme is to build a robust GP support and referral network by upskilling GPs in their competency to manage non-emergency paediatric conditions, so that such cases can be anchored at the GPs instead of the acute hospitals. From this, we hope to develop and strengthen intermediate and long-term paediatric services in the community and enable the right siting of care for children with mild to moderate acute conditions to primary care.
There are 3 main components of this programme:
GP Engagement
This will be done through active engagement and enrolment of interested GPs in Singapore. Relevant care paths encompassing the majority of non-emergency attendances to the Children’s Emergency (CE) have been created. The 3 main care paths – approach to a child with fever, approach to a breathless child and approach to a child with diarrhoea and vomiting have been created in collaboration with our primary health colleagues. GPs will start seeing this group of patients and initiate treatment early and/or refer patients accordingly.
GP Education Partnership
This will focus on nurturing our GPs with the following learning outcomes:
- Ability to provide appropriate management of common paediatric problems at community level.
- Ability to identify early warning signs and enhance timely referral for those needing tertiary paediatric care.
The education programme will be designed to deliver blended learning which includes online e-learning modules, team-based learning sessions, and clinical observerships with the Children’s Emergency.
- Online e-learning modules can be done by the GPs in their own time (within 2 months).
- Team-based learning sessions and educational forums will be conducted approximately 4 monthly and will focus on case scenarios and interactive discussions.
- Clinical observerships within KKH and NUH to equip GPs with practical experience on acute management and follow-up of common illnesses in children.
Paediatrics “GPFirst”
This will model the current GPFirst programme for adults, which encourages a patient’s visit to the GP first for non-emergency conditions. Should the child require a referral to KKH or NUH CE after initial assessment by the GP, they will receive a $50 subsidy on the prevailing CE fees, along with a shorter waiting time.
Upon completion of the online e-learning modules, the GP will be certified as a PaedsENGAGE partner with KKH and NUH and can start referring paediatric patients following the above model. GPs will be kept updated of the outcome of their referrals to KKH or NUH CE. Patients will also be referred back to the enrolled GP clinics for continuity of care as necessary.
GPs who are interested to be a GP Partner in this programme, you may directly access our enrolment form via the link below:
PaedsENGAGE GP Enrolment
Come join us and ENGAGE in this meaningful partnership as we strive towards a seamless healthcare journey for all children in Singapore.
For more information, please email:
