Hospitals in Singapore report a rise of up to 35% [1] in referrals for safety assessments of personal mobility aid users.
The surge reflects a shift in how the state regulates the use of assistive devices to ensure public safety on walkways and roads. As more users seek official medical validation, healthcare facilities are facing increased pressure to process these certifications.
This trend follows the implementation of new certification rules that took effect June 1, 2024 [2]. Under these regulations, individuals under the age of 70 are now required to provide a certificate of medical need to operate certain personal mobility aids.
To obtain this certification, users must undergo a safety assessment. These evaluations determine if a person can safely operate a device without posing a risk to themselves, or others, in public spaces.
The requirement has prompted a significant number of users to seek professional medical reviews. This has led to the reported increase of up to 35% [1] in referral volumes since the rules were established June 1, 2024 [2].
Healthcare providers are now managing a higher volume of these specialized assessments to keep pace with the legal requirements. The process ensures that only those with a genuine medical necessity, and the physical capacity to operate the devices, are certified.
“Hospitals in Singapore report a rise of up to 35% in referrals for safety assessments”
The increase in referrals indicates a tightening of regulatory oversight regarding personal mobility devices in Singapore. By requiring medical certification for users under 70, the government is shifting the burden of proof to the user, which increases the administrative and clinical load on the public health system while attempting to reduce accidents in high-traffic pedestrian areas.
