bout 1,700 healthcare workers needed for 10 new nursing homes to be built by 2016: Health Minister

Singapore will need some 1,600 to 1,700 healthcare employees to cater to the 10 new nursing homes which will be set up in different parts of Singapore from now till 2016. 

Speaking to the media at the end of his community visit to Potong Pasir today, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said his ministry will be stepping up recruitment efforts to employ these people. 

Among the avenues being looked at - educational institutions like the institutes of technical education and polytechnics. 

The ministry will also encourage the conversion of mid-career healthcare workers to fill the vacancies in these nursing homes. 

Another area being tapped is the pool of retirees who can return to work part time to fill up these careers. 

A major part of the dialogue during Mr Gan's ministerial visit focussed on healthcare and ageing issues. 

Mr Gan, who is also the chairman of the Inter Ministerial Committee on Ageing, emphasised that at the end of the day, the best way for Singaporeans to keep their medical costs down, is to remain healthy and fit.