Assoc Prof Liew Tau Ming — Geriatric Psychiatrist in Singapore

Associate Professor Liew Tau Ming is a Senior Consultant in the Department of Psychiatry at Singapore General Hospital, with a clinical focus on geriatric psychiatry and the care of older patients with memory and mental health conditions. He obtained his Master of Medicine in Psychiatry from the National University of Singapore and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK).

He also holds a PhD in Public Health and serves as an Associate Professor with the SingHealth Duke-NUS Medicine Academic Clinical Programme at Duke-NUS Medical School, where he is active as a clinician scientist.

Clinical focus

Geriatric psychiatry.

Qualifications (as publicly listed)

MBBS, MMed (Psychiatry) (NUS), MRCPsych, FRCPsych (UK), Dip Geriatric Med, PhD (Public Health).

Where they practise

• Clinic / practice: Department of Psychiatry, Singapore General Hospital — Singapore General Hospital, Outram
• Hospital / training affiliation(s): Singapore General Hospital

Getting to the clinic

Associate Professor Liew Tau Ming practises in the Department of Psychiatry at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) on the Outram campus. The nearest station is Outram Park MRT, an interchange served by the East West Line (EW16), North East Line (NE3) and Thomson-East Coast Line (TE17), which makes the hospital reachable from most parts of the island with a single change at most. From Outram Park, follow signs to the SGH campus; the internal shuttle bus links the MRT exits with the various blocks, which is useful as the campus is large.

• By MRT: Outram Park (EW16 / NE3 / TE17), then the campus shuttle or a short walk.
• By bus: several services stop along Outram Road and Hospital Drive; check your app for the stop nearest the psychiatry block.
• By car or taxi: taxi stands and ride-hailing drop-off points are signposted, and the campus has visitor carparks. Allow time to find the correct block, as SGH is spread over many buildings.

What geriatric psychiatry covers

A/Prof Liew’s clinical focus is geriatric psychiatry, the branch of psychiatry concerned with mental health in older adults. The conditions seen most often include late-life depression and anxiety, which may present differently in older people, sometimes as physical complaints, withdrawal or memory difficulty rather than obvious sadness. Cognitive disorders are central to the work: assessing memory complaints, distinguishing mild cognitive impairment from dementia, and managing the behavioural and psychological symptoms that can accompany dementia, such as agitation, sleep disturbance and low mood. Older adults frequently live with several physical conditions and take multiple medications, so geriatric psychiatry pays close attention to how physical illness, medication and mental health interact. His doctoral work in public health and his role as a clinician scientist reflect an interest in the population-level patterns behind these conditions.

What to expect at a consultation

A first appointment is largely a structured conversation. The psychiatrist will explore your current concerns and how they affect daily life, sleep, appetite, mood and memory, and will take a history of past medical and psychiatric conditions, current medications, and family and social background. For older patients, an account from a spouse, child or carer is especially valuable, so it helps to attend with someone who knows you well. A cognitive screen may be performed at the visit, and physical causes are always considered, so blood tests or a brain scan may be requested. The session usually ends with an explanation of the likely diagnosis and a management plan, which might combine medication, talking therapy, social support and review of existing prescriptions.

Preparing for your appointment

• Photo identification and any GP or polyclinic referral letter.
• Previous records, discharge summaries and any earlier memory test or scan results.
• A complete list of current medications and supplements, with doses, or the boxes themselves.
• A written summary of symptoms, when they began and how they have changed.
• A family member or carer who can give a collateral account, where memory is the concern.
• Your own list of questions.

After your consultation and follow-up

You will normally leave with a plan and, where appropriate, a prescription and a follow-up date. Medications for mood, anxiety and the symptoms of dementia are introduced carefully in older people and reviewed for both benefit and side effects, so early follow-up is common. If tests were ordered, the results are explained at a return visit and the plan adjusted. Coordination with your GP and any other specialists you see is important, particularly when several conditions and medicines are involved. You may seek a second opinion at any time. Seek urgent care through an emergency department if there are thoughts of self-harm, a sudden severe change in behaviour, or acute confusion.

Booking, referrals and fees

As a public hospital department, SGH psychiatry is typically accessed through a referral from a GP or polyclinic, which also supports eligibility for government subsidies for those who qualify. Subsidised and private rates differ. MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans operate under set rules and limits and may apply to certain treatments and admissions rather than routine outpatient consultations, which are usually paid out of pocket. Confirm the current charges and what is claimable with the hospital before attending.

Common questions

What is the difference between memory loss and dementia?

Some forgetfulness is normal with age. Dementia involves a progressive decline in memory and thinking that interferes with everyday function, and assessment helps tell the two apart.

Do I need a referral to see a public-hospital psychiatrist?

Usually yes. A GP or polyclinic referral is the standard route and helps with subsidy eligibility for those who qualify.

Are antidepressants safe for older people?

They can be, when chosen and monitored carefully. Doses are often started low and reviewed for side effects and interactions with other medicines.

Should a relative attend with me?

For older patients and memory concerns this is strongly encouraged, as a relative can describe changes you may not notice and help carry out the plan.

Related guides

• Dementia & memory loss
• Anxiety & depression

Sources & verification

• Singapore General Hospital – A/Prof Liew Tau Ming

See also: our editorial directory of psychiatrists in Singapore and our shortlist of psychiatry 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.