Purchase travel insurance before travelling

It is advisable for all travellers to purchase a travel insurance before travelling to Singapore as costs for medical treatment can be very expensive.  We cannot pay for your medical treatment, but we can give you information about transferring money from friends or family in the UK.

If you become sick or are injured abroad you should seek medical attention locally if you feel you need it. Your travel insurance should cover most medical expenses if you have taken out a comprehensive policy.  

If you have travelled with a tour guide or have a tour representative you should contact them in the first instance if your condition is not serious.

Medical facilities available in Singapore

Please be aware that medical facilities abroad may differ from those in the UK.

There are many private doctors’ clinics where you can receive treatment without having to make an appointment. Most local neighbourhood centres will have at least one doctor’s clinic.  These private clinics are able to dispense most types of medication themselves or will give you a prescription to take to a hospital pharmacy.  Your hotel may also be able to suggest a doctor to you.

Most clinics are only open during normal working hours.  If you are unwell outside of these hours you can either visit the emergency department of any hospital as an outpatient or find a 24 hour clinic.

Please take note that all patients admitted to any private hospitals are required to pay a deposit before admission.  If you cannot afford a private hospital you can still seek medical treatment from a government hospital. You may refer to the website of the Ministry of Health for a list of hospitals in Singapore.

In an emergency you can dial 995 for an ambulance.

A non-emergency private ambulance service is also available if you dial 1777.  Read more about it on the Singapore Civil Defence Force website.

In hospital abroad

If you're admitted to hospital in Singapore, you should contact us at: (+65) 6424 4200.

What we can do to help:

• contact you within 24 hours of being told that you have been admitted
• contact your family and friends in the UK
• liaise with your insurance company or medical evacuation company
• visit you within 48 of being told you have gone into hospital if we feel that this is appropriate to your circumstances and there is an Embassy or consulate in the same city as the hospital you are in.

We'll take into account your condition, whether you have family and friends with you, whether you are with a tour company and the medical facilities available.

If you have been hospitalised as a result of an assault or other crime, we will visit you as soon as possible.  Please see the victims of crime page for more information.

What we can't do:

We cannot pay for your medical treatment or provide treatment ourselves.
We won’t usually contact or visit you if you have travelled specifically for medical treatment.