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Straits Times
19-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
New digital tool in Singapore to encourage advance care planning
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Called myACP, the tool allows users to document their preferences for medical treatment in advance, in line with their personal goals and values. SINGAPORE – A free digital tool that makes it easier for Singaporeans to complete their advance care plans (ACP) online was launched on July 19. Called myACP, the tool allows users to document their preferences for medical treatment in advance, in line with their personal goals and values. They can also designate someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become mentally incapacitated. The digital tool was launched by the Ministry of Health, Agency for Integrated Care and GovTech at Heartbeat@Bedok. Speaking at the launch, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that the tool eliminates the need to meet an ACP facilitator in person. Anyone who is generally healthy and is at least 21 years old can document their care preferences and submit it online. Mr Ong said the common reasons for not completing ACPs include a lack of knowledge on the process, and the inconvenience of making an appointment with a facilitator – a time-consuming step that may also involve fees. Previously, individuals had to visit public hospitals, polyclinics, or certain social care providers to make such plans. Now, they also have the option of using the new tool, found on the My Legacy@LifeSG platform at / Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI It takes about 30 minutes to complete an ACP. Users will have to indicate their preferences on hygiene, companionship and religious requirements, as well as make a decision on whether doctors should prioritise comfort or carry out life-sustaining treatments, among other matters, Mr Ong said. But those with existing illnesses, such as cancer or heart failure, will still need to complete their ACP with the help of their healthcare team or a certified facilitator. At present, about 77,000 people have completed their ACP, Mr Ong said. 'This is 40 per cent higher than the national figure as of last year, but it's still very small a number,' he added. Mr Ong said the authorities are trying to encourage more Singaporeans to plan ahead. While some people have preferences for end-of-life care, most are reluctant to broach the subject with their loved ones while they are healthy as it is considered pantang, or taboo, according to the minister. 'It will be too late to do so when they have fallen very sick and cannot communicate what they want to their loved ones. Family members, doctors, are then placed in a difficult position to decide on the care approach,' he said, noting that different opinions can escalate into family disputes. 'We need more open and early conversations about future care needs…When we plan ahead, we not only safeguard our own preferences, we also make things easier and clearer for families and healthcare teams later on.' In 2023, the Government launched the National Strategy for Palliative Care to raise awareness about end-of-life issues amid an ageing population. Since then, palliative care capacity has been expanded , rising to 3,000 home care places and 300 inpatient hospice beds currently – from the 2,400 care places and 260 beds in 2023, Mr Ong said. Palliative care competency was also strengthened, with 62 – or about two-thirds of nursing homes in Singapore – establishing partnerships with hospitals. This means that when a nursing home resident is approaching end-of-life, he will remain in the facility instead of being unnecessarily transferred to a hospital. Mr Ong noted that the efforts by the authorities have started to show results. In 2022 and 2023, 62.5 per cent of deaths happened in hospitals. This dropped to 59.8 per cent in 2024. 'While this appears to be a small improvement, it translates into thousands of patients having their wishes fulfilled. Attitudes take time to change, and we are encouraged to be heading in the right direction,' he said. Ms Clara Ng, 56, who completed her ACP online last week, said she decided to do so to be prepared for the future. 'I'm still at the stage where I have the capacity to think. It's good to log down what I want rather than wait till it's too late' said Ms Ng, who is currently completing her masters course in gerontology.
AsiaOne
23-05-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
Newly MOP-ed 3-room HDB flat in Bedok sold for record $730k, Money News
The upward trend for non-landed 3-room flat prices across Singapore continues to pick up steam. Just last month, Queenstown set a new national all-time high (ATH) at $935,000. Now, Bedok followed through with a record-breaking sale of $730K, making it the most expensive resale for this flat type in the town's history. $730k 3-room flat sets new record in Bedok A 3-room flat in Bedok has just changed hands for $730,000, breaking the previous town record by a considerable margin. The earlier high — $689,000 — was achieved only a month prior, also within the same block but on a lower floor. This recent transaction represents a jump of $41,000 and marks the first time a 3-room HDB in Bedok has crossed the $700,000 mark. The unit is located in Block 429B Bedok North Road, on a higher floor of the 17-storey building. At 743 sq ft, it translates to approximately $982 psf. Yes, it is creeping toward the four-digit psf club, which is rare for a flat of this size and configuration. However, the buyer walks away with a "fresh" unit that has a remaining lease of 95 years and one month, essentially as good as new. Newly MOP-ed Bedok North Woods HDB The sale took place within Bedok North Woods HDB, one of the projects launched during the May 2016 Build-To-Order (BTO) exercise. Completed in 2020/2021, the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) was just recently fulfilled, making the $730,000 unit among the first ones to enter the resale market. To date, there have been seven resale transactions in Bedok North Woods, three of which involve 3-room flats. These 3-room flats have transacted at an average price of $699,000. In terms of psf, they command a price point of $940. That's a steep premium when compared to Bedok's average 3-room HDB psf of around $615. In fact, it's also well above the national average, more than 30 per cent higher than the $640 psf recorded. From a cost-to-value standpoint, the original BTO prices for these 3-room flats in Bedok North Woods started from just $272,000 (excluding grants). That puts the $730,000 sale at nearly triple the original price, all within just five years. It's one of the "successful" stories of selling right after the MOP. Of course, not all of that gain is net profit. The actual return would depend on the initial purchase price, eligibility for HDB grants, and other resale-related expenses. Still, it's a strong example of how more Singaporeans are now seeing BTO as a stepping stone instead of a home. We've seen this pattern before: the recent Queenstown ATH of $935,000 also came from a newly MOP-ed unit at SkyParc @ Dawson, which carried a similarly fresh 95-year lease. Location overview While a fresh 99-year lease plays a big role in this record-setting sale, location clearly matters too. Fengshan Primary School is right at your doorstep, and within minutes, you can walk to Heartbeat @ Bedok and Bedok Central. The HDB project is situated within the town centre area, placing residents just a short walk away from virtually all essential amenities — Bedok Reservoir MRT Station, Bedok MRT Station, Bedok Mall, Bedok Reservoir Park — you name it. For families with school-going children, the area offers several reputable schools as well. According to OneMap, Bedok North Woods HDB is located within 1km of: Fengshan Primary School Red Swastika School Yu Neng Primary School More schools can be found within a 1-2 km radius, including: Bedok Green Primary St Anthony's Canossian Primary School Juyuan Primary School Opera Estate Primary This mix of convenience, lifestyle offerings, and educational access has long made this part of Bedok a favourite among homebuyers. With the town undergoing gradual revitalisation, newer projects like Bedok North Woods are perfectly positioned to attract young families, first-time buyers, and, apparently, investors. Comparative analysis: 3-room vs. bigger flats in Bedok Now here's where it gets interesting. Buyers shelling out over $700,000 for a 3-room flat in Bedok could, on paper, opt for bigger flats at similar prices. Case in point: a 4-room unit at 807C Chai Chee Road with over 90 years of lease remaining recently transacted for $740,000, or around $739 psf. So why pay more for less space? The answer may lie in buyer psychology and market shifts. Smaller units, especially those with new leases, appear to be outperforming larger, older flats in terms of both price growth and price resilience. Over the past five years, the psf prices of 3-room flats in Bedok have climbed by 53.52 per cent. In contrast, 4-room and 5-room flats saw slower growth at 41.50 per cent and 31.27 per cent, respectively. This year, 3-room HDB flats in Bedok average $615 psf — only slightly lower than the 4-room average of $642 psf. Meanwhile, 5-room flats actually average the lowest at around $600 psf. What's driving the 3-room price growth in Bedok? This narrowing gap between 3-room and 4-room pricing suggests that some buyers are willing to sacrifice space for tenure, convenience, or resale value. In an era where space efficiency and location matter more than ever, newer 3-room flats are becoming increasingly desirable. Some 5-room flats in Bedok have crossed the million-dollar mark, such as the relatively new unit at Block 747A Bedok Reservoir Crescent that fetched $1.18 million ($1,044 psf) in November 2024. But these are outliers found within rare, newer developments like Belvia HDB, which still enjoy long remaining leases. In contrast, the majority of 5-room flats in Bedok belong to older projects with fewer years left on the lease, making them less attractive to younger buyers or those concerned about long-term asset value. And with fresh, spacious flats now commanding premium prices, many buyers may find themselves leaning toward smaller, newer units that are priced more competitively by comparison. To add more perspective, a 4-room flat within the Bedok North Woods HDB estate has also recently sold for a record high at $960,000, getting closer and closer to the million-dollar threshold. The shift from viewing BTO flats as forever homes to appreciating them as stepping stones for future resale potential is more evident than ever. As younger buyers and savvy investors continue to chase value, the combination of fresh leases, mature estates, and accessible locations like the Bedok town centre area could continue to draw growing interest. [[nid:718308]] This article was first published in
