Dr Chan Tiong Beng is a respiratory and critical care physician in private practice at the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre. He qualified with an MBBS from Singapore and later obtained a Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine.
He was conferred Fellowship of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore in Respiratory Medicine and Fellowship of the American College of Chest Physicians, and holds accreditation in Intensive Care Medicine.
His practice covers a range of respiratory conditions including COPD, emphysema, asthma, chronic cough, bronchiectasis, sleep apnoea and smoking cessation.
Clinical focus
COPD.
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBS (Singapore), M Med (Internal Medicine), FAMS (Respiratory Medicine), FCCP (USA).
Where they practise
- Clinic / practice: Cough & Chest Specialist Pte Ltd — Orchard (Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre)
- Hospital / training affiliation(s): Mount Elizabeth Hospital
Getting to the clinic
Dr Chan Tiong Beng practises at Cough & Chest Specialist within the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, in the Orchard area. The nearest train station is Orchard MRT (NS22 on the North-South Line and TE14 on the Thomson-East Coast Line). From the station it is a short walk through the Orchard shopping belt to the medical centre, which sits beside Mount Elizabeth Hospital. The route is sheltered for much of the way, and there are lifts and escalators throughout.
Orchard Road is served by many bus routes, so buses are a convenient alternative, and taxis or ride-hailing services can set you down at the medical centre’s drop-off point, which is helpful if walking any distance leaves you short of breath. The Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre has a paid visitor carpark for those who drive; spaces can fill during clinic hours, so allow a little extra time to park and find the clinic suite. On a first visit, arrive early to register and complete any pre-consultation paperwork.
What COPD care covers
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) describes long-term narrowing of the airways and damage to lung tissue that makes breathing out harder and leaves people increasingly breathless. It includes the patterns once called chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and is most often linked to long-term smoking, though other exposures can contribute. Typical features are a persistent cough, phlegm, wheeze and breathlessness that worsens over years and during flare-ups. Dr Chan’s practice covers COPD alongside emphysema, asthma, chronic cough, bronchiectasis, sleep apnoea and smoking cessation, reflecting the broad scope of respiratory and critical-care medicine.
Good COPD care aims to confirm the diagnosis with breathing tests, reduce symptoms, prevent and treat flare-ups, and slow decline where possible. Stopping smoking is central, supported by inhaled treatments, vaccination advice, breathing rehabilitation and management of other conditions that often travel alongside COPD.
What to expect at a consultation
A first consultation usually starts with a detailed history: how breathless you are, how far you can walk, your cough and phlegm, how often you have flare-ups, your smoking history and any workplace exposures. The doctor will examine your chest, listen to your breathing and check your oxygen level. Breathing tests such as spirometry are commonly used to confirm and grade airway obstruction, and a chest X-ray or other imaging may be arranged.
The visit usually ends with an explanation of your diagnosis and severity, a discussion of inhaler options and technique, advice on stopping smoking if relevant, and a plan for what to do during a flare-up. Sleep-related breathing problems or chronic cough can be assessed at the same time if these are part of your symptoms.
Preparing for your appointment
To make the most of your visit, consider bringing:
- Photo identification and any GP or polyclinic referral letter.
- Previous chest X-rays, scans or lung-function results, with reports.
- A full list of your current medicines, inhalers and supplements, including doses.
- Your inhaler devices themselves, so technique can be checked.
- A note of how far you can walk before stopping and how often you have flare-ups.
- A written list of questions and concerns.
After your consultation and follow-up
After your appointment you should leave with a clear management plan and instructions on inhaler use. Results of breathing tests and imaging are reviewed, and treatment may be adjusted at follow-up to find what controls your symptoms best. COPD is usually a long-term condition, so periodic review helps track lung function, vaccination status and flare-up frequency. Referrals may be made for pulmonary rehabilitation, sleep studies or further tests. You can seek a second opinion at any stage. Seek urgent care if you become suddenly much more breathless, your lips or fingertips turn blue, you develop chest pain, or a flare-up does not respond to your usual reliever.
Booking, referrals and fees
As a private specialist, Dr Chan can usually be seen without a referral, though a GP or polyclinic letter can be useful for background and for subsidy eligibility at public clinics. For eligible procedures, MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply within set limits, while consultations are generally paid out of pocket. Confirm current fees and what your insurance covers directly with the clinic before attending.
Common questions
Can COPD be cured?
COPD cannot be reversed, but symptoms can be controlled and decline slowed. Stopping smoking, correct inhaler use and preventing flare-ups make a real difference to how you feel and function.
How is COPD told apart from asthma?
Both cause breathlessness and wheeze, but they behave differently. Breathing tests, your history and response to treatment help distinguish them, and some people have features of both.
Why does stopping smoking matter so much?
Stopping smoking is the single most effective step to slow further lung damage in COPD. Support and treatment to quit are an important part of care.
What should I do during a flare-up?
Follow the action plan agreed with your doctor, which may include adjusting inhalers or starting standby medicines. Seek urgent help if breathing worsens quickly or does not settle.
Related guides
Sources & verification
See also: our editorial directory of respiratory physicians (lung specialists) in Singapore and our shortlist of respiratory clinics.
This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.
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