SINGAPORE: The Singapore Association of Occupational Therapists is working on more specific guidelines on assessing who gets to use mobility scooters.
This will allow them to better identify individuals who genuinely need such personal mobility aids (PMAs).
New rules on PMAs will take effect from the first quarter of next year, and only those with medical conditions that affect their mobility can be certified to use these devices.
But doctors and occupational therapists say that so far, there are no official guidelines in place to assess such users. They are calling for greater clarity and standardisation to streamline the process.
General practitioner (GP) Chua Guan Kiat said that at the moment, it is up to the discretion of doctors to assess who is eligible to receive a subsidised mobility scooter.
However, Dr Chua said that the assessment could be tricky as doctors may not have the medical records of patients who are not regulars.
“As a GP, I may not be privy to sensitive medical information (that patients) may not divulge to me. The best is that they go to their own family doctors to have the certification done,” said the director of Chua Medical Clinic and Surgery.
“For the future, we hope to have better clarity, and for the government to come up with guidelines to help us GPs certify a patient if they are fit for a PMA or not.”
He currently attends to an average of one patient per week for such cases, but expects more when regulations kick in next year.
Following a doctor’s assessment, patients are referred to occupational therapists to check how strong they are, how far they can walk, how well they can balance, among other considerations.
"We look at their past medical history, and (also) at their physical condition – if they have any cognitive impairment that may prevent them from operating a device,” said Ms Chia Rui Min, a senior occupational therapist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
She said most patients she comes across have trouble walking or experience respiratory issues that prevent them from walking long distances.
The hospital’s occupational therapy department sees about 20 such patients each week.
Before prescribing patients, therapists provide training for individuals to ensure that they are competent in operating a mobility device.
They also do home visits to make sure patients are able to operate their mobility devices safely at home and in the public.
Healthcare professionals said they welcome the tightened regulations.
Ms Chia said the mandatory medical certificates from doctors will help provide clear identification of those who have a genuine need, and distinguish them from individuals who may misuse the PMAs.
Reducing the devices’ speed from 10km to 6km per hour – closer to walking speed – could also discourage individuals without disabilities who might be tempted to use PMAs, she added.
“Hopefully, this regulation will help to limit the use of the device for people without medical needs,” she noted.
Ms Chia said users often have a misconception that the PMA is for convenience. However, such devices are medical necessities for individuals who have mobility impairment. They can be used only on public paths, including footpaths and cycling paths.
People also have the wrong impression that PMAs will help keep them more active, she said.
“The premature use of PMAs will actually result in physical deconditioning as people become less active. This is detrimental to their health. So, we don't encourage the use of PMAs without genuine needs,” she said.
She added that people should keep active through current activities, including walking, for as long as they are physically able to.
Dr Chua said that with mobility devices, individuals with mobility issues will be able to get around easier and live a more fulfilling life.
“They’ll be able to spend more time outside their usual circle, they can travel further to meet friends, spend their time more meaningfully, to have more active living,” he said.
The Transport Ministry said it will announce more details on medical assessment for PMAs in the third quarter of this year.
Users who already have subsidised mobility scooters will be exempted from the assessment. The government will also keep a record of those who already have the certificate.
When the new rules kick in from next year, users will either have to show a physical or digital copy of their certificate when approached by enforcement officers.
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This will allow them to better identify individuals who genuinely need such personal mobility aids (PMAs).
New rules on PMAs will take effect from the first quarter of next year, and only those with medical conditions that affect their mobility can be certified to use these devices.
But doctors and occupational therapists say that so far, there are no official guidelines in place to assess such users. They are calling for greater clarity and standardisation to streamline the process.
ASSESSMENTS BY DOCTORS
General practitioner (GP) Chua Guan Kiat said that at the moment, it is up to the discretion of doctors to assess who is eligible to receive a subsidised mobility scooter.
However, Dr Chua said that the assessment could be tricky as doctors may not have the medical records of patients who are not regulars.
“As a GP, I may not be privy to sensitive medical information (that patients) may not divulge to me. The best is that they go to their own family doctors to have the certification done,” said the director of Chua Medical Clinic and Surgery.
“For the future, we hope to have better clarity, and for the government to come up with guidelines to help us GPs certify a patient if they are fit for a PMA or not.”
He currently attends to an average of one patient per week for such cases, but expects more when regulations kick in next year.
ASSESSMENTS BY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS
Following a doctor’s assessment, patients are referred to occupational therapists to check how strong they are, how far they can walk, how well they can balance, among other considerations.
"We look at their past medical history, and (also) at their physical condition – if they have any cognitive impairment that may prevent them from operating a device,” said Ms Chia Rui Min, a senior occupational therapist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
She said most patients she comes across have trouble walking or experience respiratory issues that prevent them from walking long distances.
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The hospital’s occupational therapy department sees about 20 such patients each week.
Before prescribing patients, therapists provide training for individuals to ensure that they are competent in operating a mobility device.
They also do home visits to make sure patients are able to operate their mobility devices safely at home and in the public.
NEW RULES IN 2026
Healthcare professionals said they welcome the tightened regulations.
Ms Chia said the mandatory medical certificates from doctors will help provide clear identification of those who have a genuine need, and distinguish them from individuals who may misuse the PMAs.
Reducing the devices’ speed from 10km to 6km per hour – closer to walking speed – could also discourage individuals without disabilities who might be tempted to use PMAs, she added.
“Hopefully, this regulation will help to limit the use of the device for people without medical needs,” she noted.
Ms Chia said users often have a misconception that the PMA is for convenience. However, such devices are medical necessities for individuals who have mobility impairment. They can be used only on public paths, including footpaths and cycling paths.
People also have the wrong impression that PMAs will help keep them more active, she said.
“The premature use of PMAs will actually result in physical deconditioning as people become less active. This is detrimental to their health. So, we don't encourage the use of PMAs without genuine needs,” she said.
She added that people should keep active through current activities, including walking, for as long as they are physically able to.
Dr Chua said that with mobility devices, individuals with mobility issues will be able to get around easier and live a more fulfilling life.
“They’ll be able to spend more time outside their usual circle, they can travel further to meet friends, spend their time more meaningfully, to have more active living,” he said.
The Transport Ministry said it will announce more details on medical assessment for PMAs in the third quarter of this year.
Users who already have subsidised mobility scooters will be exempted from the assessment. The government will also keep a record of those who already have the certificate.
When the new rules kick in from next year, users will either have to show a physical or digital copy of their certificate when approached by enforcement officers.
Related:
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