More than half of visits to Singapore public hospital A&Es are non-emergencies that a general practitioner could treat. Going to the wrong place costs you time and ties up beds for patients who need resuscitation.
This guide explains how GP clinics and emergency departments differ, how to triage your own symptoms, and when GPFirst referrals earn you priority and a subsidy at hospital A&E.
GP Clinics Handle Non-Life-Threatening Care; A&E Handles Emergencies
General practitioners treat conditions that need prompt attention but are not immediately life-threatening: coughs, runny noses, simple sprains, minor infections, and routine vaccinations.
Emergency departments exist for serious, life-threatening conditions where minutes matter.
#GPFirst: If your GP refers you to the Emergency Department, you'll get:
- Priority over non-emergency cases
- $50 subsidy on prevailing attendance fee
For mild to moderate symptoms, start with your GP. They can treat directly or refer you to A&E or an Urgent Care Centre under GPFirst when the situation warrants it.
GP clinics typically offer shorter waits for non-urgent cases. A&E triages by severity, so P3 (non-emergency) patients often wait longest.
More Than Half of A&E Visits Could Start at a GP
Public hospital A&E departments have seen patient numbers rise roughly 5.4% annually over the past five years, adding about 36,000 visits per year at hospitals including Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
More than 50% of those cases are P3 (non-emergency) visits that a GP or family physician with acute care resources could manage.
Perform a quick assessment of the situation before you head for the nearest emergency department.
"Doing this simple initial step can help save lives as it frees up A&Es of non-emergency cases. Plus, if you have a non-emergency condition and visit a GP instead, you'll probably get treated sooner," says Dr Jeremy Wee, Consultant, Department of Emergency Medicine, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group.
Match Your Injury or Illness to the Right Setting
The type of injury or illness determines where to go.
A general practitioner handles minor injuries and illnesses: infections, minor fractures, fever, vaccinations, and routine exams. Treatment is usually faster and cheaper than A&E.
A closed fracture that has not broken the skin may be suitable for a GP clinic with X-ray capability. They can cast temporarily and refer to orthopaedics if needed.
Severe, complex fractures involving joints (hips, knees, shoulders) need an emergency department with specialist teams available around the clock.
Singapore A&E Priority Levels Explained
Priority 1 – Resuscitation and Critical Illness
Patients in cardiovascular collapse or imminent collapse. Attended immediately in the Resuscitation Area.
Examples: Heart attack, severe injuries, severe bleeding, shock, severe asthma attack.
Priority 2 – Major Emergencies (Non-Ambulant)
Acute conditions requiring hospital treatment but stable enough to skip resuscitation. Trolley-based examination in the Critical Care Area.
Examples: Major limb fracture or dislocation, moderate injuries, severe abdominal pain.
Priority 3 – Minor Emergencies (Ambulant)
Stable patients who can walk. Treatable by a GP with acute care resources or at A&E after triage.
Examples: Sprains, minor injuries, minor abdominal pain, vomiting, allergy-related skin rashes, mild headaches.
Priority 4 – Non-Emergency
Long-standing or chronic conditions such as chronic joint pain, chronic skin rash, long-term nasal discharge, old scars, cataracts, or tattoo removal. These belong with your GP or polyclinic, not A&E.
What to do next
Run through the priority levels above against your symptoms. Cough, mild sprain, or rash? Start with a GP or use our condition-by-condition guide.
Chest pain, sudden weakness on one side, or heavy bleeding? Call 995 or go straight to A&E. Suspected stroke? Read what to do if someone is having a stroke and act on FAST immediately.
Keep a home emergency plan and first-aid basics so your household knows the difference before a crisis happens.
