The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Singapore has announced the groundbreaking ceremony to mark the commencement of redevelopment works at Alexandra Hospital in the Queenstown district.

This project will transform the current 326-bed hospital into an integrated general hospital (IGH) with approximately 1,300 beds, including the construction of two new buildings.

The redevelopment plan includes the establishment of a new emergency department, which will be directly linked to the intensive care unit and operating theatre.

This upgrade will allow the transport of local patients directly to the hospital's emergency department.

The expanded Alexandra Hospital will also cater to a wider range of healthcare needs by including beds for hospice and psychiatric care.

Additionally, a nursing home with around 450 beds will be constructed within the same campus.

Despite the extensive redevelopment efforts, Alexandra Hospital will maintain its operations throughout the construction period.

The project is set to begin in 2025 and is expected to extend over a decade.

The redeveloped facilities are anticipated to open progressively starting from 2028, marking a new chapter in the hospital's history, which dates back to 1938 when it was established by the British as the British Military Hospital Singapore.

Singapore Minister For Health Ong Ye Kung said in a speech: “It has a unique operating model which allows patients to remain in the same bed while receiving acute and subsequently step-down care.

“So far, Alexandra Hospital has found that through this approach, the model can shorten the length of stay for patients who require both acute and community hospital care.

“When the redevelopment is completed, this unique care model will be implemented at scale across many patient types, and we look forward to seeing the health outcomes.”