With its new expanded facility, the National Skin Centre aims to meet increasing demand and improve patient care.
Singapore – The National Skin Centre (NSC) has officially opened its new building, which is more than double the size of its previous premises. This expansion aims to cater to the rising demand for dermatological care, with median wait times for appointments now slightly reduced to under 50 days, compared to under 60 days earlier this year.
The new 10-storey facility on Mandalay Road, operational since June 2023, features 69 consultation rooms and expanded day treatment facilities. It is expected to accommodate a 30% rise in patient attendance by 2030 and a 50% rise by 2040, as Singapore’s population ages rapidly.
The centre’s phototherapy service, which serves a significant portion of its daily patients, has also been improved with the addition of an ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) whole-body phototherapy cabin, enabling faster treatments for conditions like eczema and mycosis fungoides. NSC currently sees around 1,000 patients a day, with 200 to 250 utilizing the phototherapy service.
To support an aging population, NSC has increased the capacity of its sub-specialty clinics by 50%. The centre, which manages about 70% of public dermatology attendances, also provides teleconsultations to help manage patient load, especially for elderly and immobile patients.
Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung highlighted that the centre’s expansion is part of broader efforts to address the rising incidence of skin conditions due to global warming and an aging population. Additionally, the Healthier SG preventive care programme and continued training for primary care doctors are part of the long-term strategy to improve skin health management across Singapore.
