Kids’ medical check-up: urgent care medical clinic or A&E?

If your child requires a medical check-up in Singapore, knowing exactly where to go for treatment is important! From broken bones to cuts, burns and other medical mishaps, the Urgent Care Clinic International (UCCI) team shares scenarios where it’s better to opt for urgent care at a medical clinic over A&E.

If your child’s condition is urgent but not life-threatening, you can be treated at an urgent care facility rather than going to A&E or ER, says specialist emergency physician DR CHEAH SI OON. “An urgent care medical clinic can provide a higher level of outpatient care than GPs, while not being physically attached to a hospital.”

While there are many urgent care clinics in Singapore, UCCI is currently the only private clinic of its kind. Run by a team of accredited adult and paediatric emergency specialists, and specialty-trained nurses, UCCI can do on-site blood and urine tests, x-rays and ultrasound scans, allowing for more immediate diagnosis and treatment.

Urgent care medical clinic or A&E for a medical check-up in Singapore?

Any injury can feel like an emergency in the heat of the moment. However, you can spare yourself and your child a trip to the always-crowded ER for a medical check-up in Singapore in many situations! We list five of them here:

#1 Your toddler put a toy soldier up his nose

This kind of item can often be easily retrieved at UCCI. It doesn’t require a visit to the ER for a medical check-up with your curious three-year-old, says DR DIANA LIN YUJUAN, specialist paediatrician and children’s emergency physician.

“However, if your toddler has swallowed a magnet, water bead or battery, you should head to the ER. Hospitalisation or immediate surgical removal may be required.”

#2 Your child hurt her wrist at gymnastics training

“Paediatric bone and joint injuries often only require x-rays and temporary splints. UCCI has in-house x-ray facilities to quickly evaluate the injury and treat it,” says Dr Diana. “However, more serious injuries with obvious deformities will likely require hospitalisation and surgery. These are better managed at a hospital ER.” Therefore, gauge the severity of your child’s injury before deciding to take them to an urgent care medical clinic or A&E.

#3 Your child has a high fever

Children commonly come down with fevers from yearly cold and flu and other viral infections. Have some standby paracetamol and ibuprofen syrup at home. “If the child is lethargic, dehydrated or has persistent vomiting, UCCI can quickly assess, diagnose and treat them,” says Dr Diana. “However, if your child has had a fit or is unrousable, head straight to an ER.”

#4 It’s 8pm and your child is complaining of ear pain

Pain from an ear infection can normally be assessed the next day. Dr Diana recommends a dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen. “But, sometimes, insects or little toys may find their way into your child’s ear. Doctors at UCCI are equipped to remove such objects or treat painful ear canal infections.”

#5 Your child split his chin open on the playground

Dr Diana suggests first washing the wound with lots of water, applying compression with a clean towel or gauze to stop the bleeding, and heading straight to urgent care. In more severe cases, a visit to the A&E will be required.

“Specialists at UCCI will be able to assess if the wound will require stitches, or whether tissue glue or medical tape will suffice in getting the wound to heal with good cosmetic effect. Deep and dirty lacerations involving tendons or muscles may require surgical repair under general anaesthesia and hospitalisation via a hospital ER.”

Other conditions that can be treated at UCCI:

Chest infection, food poisoning, skin rashes, allergies, eczema, conjunctivitis (pink eye), HFMD, minor nosebleed, minor headache, anxiety attack, sprains and strains, insect or animal bites (pets), minor cuts and burns, removal of stitches or complex wound dressing.

Urgent Care Clinic International
#01-01 Parkroyal on Kitchener Road, 181 Kitchener Road
6910 5388 | urgentcareclinic.sg

This article first appeared in the August 2022 edition of Expat Living. Purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!