14 Jun 2012, 2.38PM
Around 200 Bishan East residents attended a dialogue session at Bishan East Community Club yesterday, where a petition with about 40 names was submitted to register opposition to the construction of a nursing home.
The proposed Lions Home for the Elders will be six to eight storeys tall and occupy a 0.3ha site facing three blocks of flats in Bishan Street 13. The nursing home will provide nursing and rehabilitative care to patients requiring a longer recovery period after discharge from hospital.
Residents put forth various reasons, ranging from traffic congestion and the loss of recreational space, to “poor airflow” and bad feng shui. One resident also argued that his electrical expenses will increase from having to use his air-conditioner more frequently due to the heat build-up, which would amount to a $7.56 million electricity bill over 70 years. Another resident said that “the old folk will be groaning right into my home”.
The dialogue session was attended by Ministry of Health group director (Aging Planning Office) Yeoh Tsin Woon, Bishan East Grassroots Organization adviser Wong Kan Seng and Bishan East Citizens’ Consultative Committee chairman Chua Thian Poh.
In response, Mr Wong said he understood the residents’ sentiments. “Nobody who has gotten used to breeze... (and) to a piece of land in front where their children can play football, or whatever it is, would now want to see a building coming up.”
Mr Wong added, “The MOH will take into account all the feedback, consider all the alternatives that were mentioned and will get back to the residents.”
In their statement to residents, the MOH said that Bishan East is a middle-aged estate with a higher percentage of residents above 65 (11.3%), compared to the national average (9.3%). The number of elderly residents is expected to double in the next 10 years. MOH will consider other alternatives raised at the dialogue, such as the field in front of Block 156.
To find out more, read
The Straits Times article.
What do you think about the objections raised by the Bishan East residents? Share with us your views!
Updated on 29 May 2012
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has clarified its consultation process in relation to yesterday’s news report on the construction of a nursing home in Bishan. MOH has said that the views of residents are sought at least a few months prior to the start of any work on the ground via dialogue sessions, such as the one held on Sunday with the residents of Bishan East. At such dialogues, residents can raise issues such as traffic concerns, design features of the home and the services it will provide, and give their take on where roads that lead into the home should be sited.
The protest follows a similar incident in Bukit Batok last September, when residents were told that the Ren Ci Nursing Home would be relocated there. After several dialogues, plans were revised, including the addition of a daycare facility in the new home for elderly residents.
MOH will consider the feedback collected on Sunday and update Bishan East residents on the plans.
Updated on 14 June 2012
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is considering residents’ feedback on the plan to build a nursing home in Bishan, including suggestions for alternative sites and concerns about the design of the nursing home, etc. Minister of State for Health, Dr Amy Khor, said that MOH will look into the plan with the technical agencies, and will work with the advisors and the grassroots to provide an update to residents. Read the Channel NewsAsia article ‘Residents’ feedback on Bishan nursing home under review’.