JULY — AUGUST 2010 IN THIS ISSUE
RISING STARS OF SINGHEALTH NURSING Transplants: A Gift of Hope Empowering Youths for President’s Challenge 2010
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A SingHealth Staff Publication
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me + Spotlight
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15 Rising stars of nursing at SingHealth
34 A day in the life of a pioneer SingHealth resident
35 The silent companions
14 Aspiring to be a doctor
CONTENTS 01
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• Irresistibly attracted
• Creating waves of joy
• All the right ingredients
• Striking a gentler chord
• A new nursing generation
• 1 dynamic team... 25 reasons to celebrate!
01 Foreword by Prof Ang Chong Lye 02 On the cover 03 SingHealth birthday wishes – a celebration of what’s to come
22 Inspirational patient – rising to every challenge 24 Inspirational patient – it’s all up to you
05 Compassion makes the difference
25 Inspirational patient – taking control of your life
06 NMEA 2010 champions – docs who walk the talk
26 Continuing the legacy of medical giants
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07 Teaming up for better care down under
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08 Transplants – a gift of life, a gift of hope 10 Vibrant campus – chasing away the elderly blues 11 Vibrant campus – target: tumour 12 GPO internship – a priceless experience
36 Contest – why do you love our nurses? 36 Reduce your wait in staff clinic
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13 Empowering youths - President’s Challenge 2010
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Nursing from the heart – at home with Leong Yoke Yin, Senior Nurse Manager, CGH
31 Sink your teeth into this! 32 Are you ready to be a mother?
SingHealth Editorial Team Tan-Huang Shuo Mei Amelia Champion Katheryn Maung Arthur Wong Lee Yuen Mei Stephanie Jade Arlindita
Pepper Global Alvin Ee Ariel Chew Michael Koek Candice Tang 75B Pagoda Street Singapore 059234 Tel: +65 6221 1286 Photography for cover, nurses profiles and home feature: A Pixels Photography Pte Ltd Copywriters: Monica Lim, Angele Lee and Sher Maine Wong
Patients. At the Heart of All We Do.
me+SingHealth or me+SH (pronounced /mesh/) represents who we are in SingHealth—as intertwining threads conveying synergy and complementing one another to form a beautiful fabric. me+SH links you to the action in all of SingHealth and around the healthcare industry.
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All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without the written permission of SingHealth and the publisher. The views and opinions expressed or implied in the publication are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of SingHealth and the publisher. Whilst due care has been exercised, both SingHealth and the publisher do not accept responsibility for errors in advertisements or articles, unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. MICA(P) 094/04/2010
Guest Editor
A Magnet for Growth
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GH has become the first Magnet recognised hospital in Asia and this is an exceptional achievement for the hospital and its nursing force. But what does it mean for the rest of the SingHealth family? I think all of us can take pride in it because it is really the strong culture of excellence and teamwork across SingHealth that has enabled SGH to reach this milestone. As healthcare dynamics continue to evolve, all practitioners must strive to grow our skills in both depth and breadth – becoming T-shaped professionals. That is something that inspires me about our nurses – they are continually learning new skills and improving themselves. All of us should aim for competency and mastery in our own specialties, and at the same time expand our knowledge in other fields. Above all, we must aim for excellence while keeping in mind that our team-based efforts have the strongest impact on patients. As a group, SingHealth has grown in size and achievements over the years. As we move forward, let us now grow closer – with better synergies across institutions and better teamwork across all fronts. Our standing as a vibrant campus of academic medicine will grow as we strengthen partnerships in multidisciplinary teams across specialties, grow collaborations between clinicians and researchers and bridge each generation with a succeeding generation of healthcare professionals that is better than its predecessors.
PROF ANG CHONG LYE Deputy CEO (Clinical Services), SingHealth Chief Executive Officer, Singapore General Hospital
In July, we launched the inaugural SingHealth Transplant Awareness Week to raise awareness of organ transplantation amongst staff, patients and the public. It also marked the start of a journey to consolidate our transplant services to offer a more comprehensive and patient-centric network of care. This is a good example of how we can become better when we work together, for the benefit of patients. In all professions, leadership renewal and nurturing the next generation is essential. For those in senior positions, let us close ranks with our team members and serve as mentors and role models. For the young ones, I urge you to grow in your profession and contribute with innovative ideas to help bring healthcare to the next level. Again, I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone in the SingHealth family for your support. Let us continue to grow stronger and closer, year on year!
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On the cover 1. Jasmine Chen, 25 Senior Staff Nurse, Major Operating Theatre, KKH
“I wish all nurses a very happy Nurses’ Day, just keep on spreading the love through nursing. We rock at what we do!”
Jasmine also wants to spread the message of volunteering, “so nurses can understand how privileged we Singaporeans are.”
She shares more on page 17. 2. Andy Chua, 23 Staff Nurse, Ward 64 (Rehab Medicine), SGH
This gardener keeps close to the ground through his community work. He is actively involved in youth issues through several National Youth Forums, was awarded “Most Sincere Delegate” at the 2006 Youth Camp for Asia’s Future in Korea, and has taken an active role in the Student Chapter of the Singapore Nurses Association.
“Do you know the ‘Fish philosophy’? Play, and have fun while working. I believe it has an important day-to-day application for healthcare workers.”
Find out what this go-getter is now gunning for in his career on page 16. 3. Mohammed Mohamed Amir, 25 Staff Nurse, Ward 55B (Urology), SGH
Navigating his career track as easily as he negotiates traffic on his Super4 motorcycle, Amir represents the dynamic new generation of nurses.
He says to his fellow nurses, “We’ve all worked hard. For all the care and concern you’ve given
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to patients out there, this is a day you truly deserve. Happy Nurses’ Day!”
Discover what the young and restless nurses throughout SingHealth’s institutions are up to, on page 20.
When she’s not working, Nursarini gets in touch with her creative side through baking, and she has all the right ingredients to advance patient care.
Learn what she does for her patients, on page 18.
4. Nursarini bte Kamsani, 27 Staff Nurse, Cardiovascular Medicine, NHCS
5. Noreen bte Ismail, 21 Staff Nurse, Anaesthesia Clinic, CGH
“I’d like to see more nurses involved in research and becoming APNs, less paperwork to do and more time devoted to patient care!” this bubbly nurse quips.
“My wish for the future of nursing is to see it become a more respected profession, and for nursing qualifications to be recognised as being of a high level.”
“I also want to wish all nurses a Happy Nurses’ Day! Thanks for all the effort and perseverance you’ve put in, and for being so selfless! Keep up the good work!”
This self-proclaimed ex-tomboy used to play the guitar in a band but other activities have since been crowding her schedule. Read more about how Noreen takes to being a nurse, on page 19.
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SingHealth
birthday
wishes – a celebration of what’s to come
In April, we flagged off our 10th anniversary celebrations with the planting of a Tembusu tree by Group CEO Prof Tan Ser Kiat and the start of the “Plant A Wish For Tomorrow” campaign, where staff penned their thoughts on our achievements from the past and shared their wishes for tomorrow’s Medicine.
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ne tree stands tall near Bowyer Block – a constant reminder of growth and that all great things start from one small step. While it takes years for a Tembusu to reach magnificence, staff at SingHealth showed their commitment towards healthcare in a matter of days, populating the ‘Plant A Wish For Tomorrow’ microsite with their wishes for tomorrow’s healthcare. 870 wishes were collected from SingHealth and its institutions. These wishes will help shape initiatives in healthcare of tomorrow as Group CEO Prof Tan Ser Kiat charts the directions of the SingHealth Group at the annual staff address – Pulse of SingHealth in September. Be sure to join us then to see how your wishes go towards defining tomorrow’s Medicine.
HAVE YOUR Cake! More than 50 departments from various institutions shared their wishes and won birthday cakes! Here’s a snapshot of our best birthday celebration moments: KKH Cytogenetics Laboratory “My wish is to see more sharing of experiences between institutions
in the form of staff exchange programmes or by having interinstitution collaboration projects.” – Peh Guat Lian, Senior Medical Technologist “I want SingHealth to be an international health hub so that more international patients will come for treatment.” – Irma Rubiasih, Medical Technologist
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CGH WARD 14
“To be equipped with the best and most advanced equipment and technology and to have staff who are more service and healthcare-oriented to serve the community.” – Staff Nurse Li Shumei “I wish for more opportunities for staff to advance themselves in education and in their careers. This will make SingHealth the organisation with the most well-educated, well-learned nurses.” – Staff Nurse Sahnan Rahim
SHP Head Office
SGH PODIATRY
“I wish for more development of multidisciplinary teams and evidence-based practice.” – Marnie Cooper, Senior Podiatrist “My wish is for a reduction in number of amputations due to diabetes.” – Tan Chiang Wei, Podiatrist
NCCS FINANCE
“To have a better advocating system to recruit students passionate in healthcare.” – Michelle Low, Quality Management
“I wish for every patient to have a pleasant experience at SingHealth healthcare services.” – Tammy Tan, Supervisor
“I wish we could relook the healthcare structure in terms of manpower distribution and prioritise services in view of the ageing population.” – Flores Gracielynne Encio, Quality Management
“To make healthcare affordable to all, as pain-free as possible, start to show even more empathy, possess even greater patience and understanding to work towards a common goal.” – Rebecca Tan, Executive
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Compassion Makes the Difference
This year, 25 inspiring individuals from SingHealth received the Courage Fund’s Healthcare Humanity Award. Among them is Jasmine Lee - a Senior Staff Nurse at National Heart Centre Singapore and an active volunteer.
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asmine puts a high value on humanity. Her ability to see each patient as an individual leads her to treat them with dignity and humility. From her point of view, “there are no good or bad patients - they just react differently to their health situations. I put myself in their shoes and give them some leeway.” Believing that every gesture counts, Jasmine always puts in a little extra effort, be it listening to an anxious patient, explaining procedures, or even shaving beards and trimming nails. “I tell my colleagues not to be so engrossed in our day-to-day work that we miss the little things that matter, like grooming our patients, which really transform them, both in appearance and in outlook.” She notes, “It’s these details that the patients really appreciate.” Jasmine says her motivation comes from her volunteer work. She has spent every Sunday at the Tzu Chi Free Clinic − run by a
Buddhist foundation for low-income families − for the past four years. “At work, time is of the essence and we’re often rushing around,” she expounds. “When volunteering, I slow down and have time to think about how I can improve the way I do things, like establishing rapport with the patients.” She also conducts home visits and, on her recommendation, the Tzu Chi Foundation arranges to spring-clean for such patients. She says of her commitment, “When you have the heart to do it, you will make the time.” Her caring ways have won her not just the hearts of her patients, but recognition as well. Over her past decade at the NHCS, Jasmine has won a string of SingHealth Nursing and PS21 Star Service awards. Earlier this year, the 31-year-old took the opportunity to teach nurses in Vietnam. The poor conditions she witnessed were “heart-wrenching” to the nurse. “I felt very blessed to be a Singaporean. Nursing gives me wings to help people like these.”
“This is something that not many jobs can offer − the ability to make a difference in people’s lives.” She explains her passion, “I enjoy the feeling of being there for the patient. Being able to do something for them, however small, gives me great satisfaction.” BY ANGELE LEE
“I felt very blessed to be a Singaporean. Nursing gives me wings to help people like these.”
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NMEA 2010 Champions –
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BY MONICA LIM
nation’s pioneer clinician-scientists, discovered that a simple retinal photograph can provide useful clues to a patient’s risk of vascular and metabolic diseases such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.
Prof Wong, Assoc Prof Tan, Prof Ho
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t is not always easy to practise what we preach but our winners of the 2010 National Medical Excellence Awards (NMEA) did exactly that. Personifying the three pillars of SingHealth – clinical care, education and research – Professors Wong Tien Yin, Ho Lai Yun and Tan Kok Hian impressed the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) with their stellar contributions. SingHealth is proud of our three champions who are also outstanding role models in academic medicine.
National Outstanding Clinician Scientist Award Prof Wong Tien Yin Director, Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) Research Initiate, Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist, SNEC We’ve all heard that the eyes are our windows to the world but what about windows to our health? Prof Wong Tien Yin, Director of SERI and one of the
Over the years, Prof Wong has developed innovative retinal imaging diagnostic tests that are independent of traditional tests and useful even in people at low risk of cardiovascular disease. This is definitely of great significance for Singapore and other developed countries where cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are health issues.
National Outstanding Clinician Mentor Award Prof Ho Lai Yun Senior Consultant, Dept of Neonatal & Developmental Medicine, SGH Senior Consultant, Dept of Child Development, KKH Children and education are two topics close to Prof Ho Lai Yun’s heart. The Senior Consultant at SGH and KKH is well recognised locally for his pioneering efforts in the areas of neonatology and child development. Among his many achievements are the founding of SGH’s Neonatal Care Unit in 1986, the establishment of the Development Assessment Clinic at SGH in 1991 (eventually relocated to KKH), and the pioneering of many ground-breaking programmes in perinatal care.
As a mentor, Prof Ho has shared his expertise whole-heartedly and inspired the lives of many a young medical student through his lectures at both the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at NUS and the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School. His roles on the various committees for specialist training and continuing education have also contributed to the grooming of many outstanding clinicians. Many of his tutees have grown to be outstanding clinicians in their own right, passing on his knowledge to others as heads of departments and established consultants.
National Outstanding Clinical Quality Activist Award Assoc Prof Tan Kok Hian Chairman, Division of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, KKH Mothers who choose to deliver their babies at KKH enjoy high safety standards, thanks in part to Assoc Prof Tan Kok Hian. A quality champion and leader of the Clinical Practice Improvement Programme (CPIP) committee at KKH, Prof Tan has been a stalwart of clinical improvements in perinatal care for better patient outcomes. His initiatives included the Labour Ward Risk Management Programme to improve the safety and quality of birth delivery which clinched an Asia Hospital Management Award in 2004, as well as the Integrated Perinatal Care Project which led to KKH having one of the lowest maternal and perinatal mortality, and eclampsia rates for a tertiary hospital in the world. Assoc Prof Tan is zealous about quality and as Chairman of the KKH Joint Commission International (JCI) core committee, he has been instrumental in leading KKH into attaining JCI accreditation in 2005. This achievement is testimony to the culture of constant learning and improvement that Assoc Prof Tan has helped to instil at KKH.
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Team ng Up For Better Care
Down Under
Alfred Hospital, Melbourne
They come from different clinical backgrounds, but work well as a dynamic team. Through the Health Manpower Development Plan (HMDP), a team of four professionals from the National Heart Centre Singapore was given the privilege of training in Australian hospitals. Speaking on behalf of the team, Dr David Sim, Associate Consultant from NHCS’s Department of Cardiology, and Sharon Neo, Clinical Coordinator at its Heart/Lung Transplant Unit, give us a snapshot of their stint at Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, and the lessons they’ve brought back with them. BY ANGELE LEE Sharon : David was the first one over, followed by Jasmine Lee (a nurse clinician from the Coronary Care Unit). I spent six weeks there from March 2009, a month after my maternity leave. David : I was there for 16 months from May 2008 to September 2009. Senior Staff Nurse Xiao Li, from CTSICU, trained at the Royal Perth Hospital. Sharon : My training was observation-based. While the standard of practice is comparable to that here, the protocol is a little different. I think what we can improve on is the spirit in which work is done. What impressed me the most is the Aussies’ never-say-die attitude. I have used the stories of the
Australian patients who inspired me to motivate my own patients here. David : My clinical fellowship involved the daily management of patients. It has broadened my view on the management of heart failure, not least because of the exposure through the sheer volume of cases. In Singapore there are a limited number of transplants per year. I’ve learnt how the management of heart care can be holistic, including the psycho-socio aspect, nutrition and so on. Alfred makes it an all-in-one package. Sharon : We’ve made some changes in the lung transplant protocol since I returned. We now conduct counselling for newly-referred potential heart/lung transplant recipients after, rather than during,
their clinic consultations, when they’re in a better frame of mind. We are also preparing comprehensive patient education handbooks. David : Coming back, I’ve implemented an in-patient heart-screening programme, which can identify patients at an earlier stage of heart failure for prompt therapy. This is adapted from Alfred’s approach, where they admit patients directly from the emergency department. I am also planning a short-stay unit to reduce unnecessary admissions and free up more in-patient beds. Overall, visiting Alfred has been a good experience.
HMDP for better healthcare tomorrow The Health Manpower Development Plan aims to equip and develop our healthcare professionals with advanced skills by investing in their continuing education and training. The SingHealth Talent Development Fund supplements the grant given by MOH to enable our professionals to learn best practices from medical institutions all over the world and apply them to improve local healthcare here.
Dr David Sim with the Alfred Hospital’s heart failure team
HMDP 2010 sees 129 individuals from SingHealth institutions being awarded the chance to hone their skills and create more effective and improved treatment and care for our patients.
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A gift of life,
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SingHealth celebrated its inaugural Transplant Awareness week from 12 to 16 July 2010. Join the journey of a kidney transplant patient and meet the various professionals that make up the team to give new life and hope to their patients. BY ARTHUR WONG
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hat would you give for a second chance at life? To have more time with your loved ones and do the things you’ve always dreamed about but never dared? For Janice Ho, the story has been played out many times. From conducting interviews with her patients to watching them leave the hospital with a new lease on life, her job as a transplant coordinator lets her experience the life-changing journey of a kidney transplant patient in SGH. Jason Tan*, 28, is one such story. He was diagnosed with kidney failure in the prime of his life and was coping with the loss of his active lifestyle, along with the dreams and aspirations that come with it. Like many before him, a living donor transplant would help him improve his way of life.
A JOURNEY WITH OUR PATIENT... 1
SGH Campus is home to eight transplant services, with over 5,000 lives changed because of the services of our professionals.
Kidney Transplant Coordinator
Transplant coordinators like Janice are the first point of contact for transplant patients. They provide patients with all the necessary information and help to make the process a smooth one. A transplant coordinator provides
counselling to Jason and his donor, giving both sides a clearer picture of the transplant programme as well as preparing them to meet more medical professionals in the days to come.
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One-to-One Interview
Both the donor and Jason undergo a one-to-one interview to evaluate the willingness to give and receive the kidney. The donor is asked to weigh his/her willingness on a scale of 10, and reasons for giving/receiving the kidney are explored. “Sometimes the recipients will feel like they are being a burden to the family, and the donors may not be that willing to give as well,” said Janice.
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Preparing for the Operation
Jason and his donor are assessed by a team of specialists from the Department of Renal Medicine in SGH. The specially trained transplant specialists then determine if the two are suitable for the two to three-hour operation. Other professionals are also involved in their evaluation – a psychiatrist for their mental health, a medical social worker for their financial
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issues, and a urologist for information about the procedure and afteroperation care. “Some patients suffer from depression and emotional problems and they might not be able to cope with the demands of treatment. But what my patients value is having their concerns validated. A great deal of sensitivity is required and it is important to give them time to ask questions. Giving them an opportunity to voice their concerns would go a long way in helping them with the disease.” – Dr Ng Beng Yeong, Senior Consultant and Head, Dept of Psychiatry, SGH “My greatest satisfaction is to have the opportunity to accompany them on this journey with a transplant and watch them grow up, graduate, marry and have kids. I have been invited to weddings and given photos of their babies. I am also very contented to have great leaders and colleagues who are supportive of the efforts to build up the kidney transplant programme.” – Dr Terence Kee, Director, Renal Transplantation, Dept of Renal Medicine, SGH
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Post-Surgery Care
The nurses and doctors at SGH Ward 55B take Jason under their watchful care. Admitted to the high dependency unit, he is under close monitoring for five to six days before being transferred to a lowerdependency ward. Yeoh Hui Ling, Janice’s colleague and a transplant coordinator herself, then comes into the picture to provide postoperation counselling. She refers Jason to a transplant pharmacist, dietitian and a bone disease management nurse to ensure that recovery is optimal.
”Some of the questions that patients ask me after their operation are – “How long will my new kidney work?”; “When can I go back to work?”; and “What are the kinds of food I can eat?” – Yeoh Hui Ling (Right), Transplant Coordinator, SGH, with colleague Janice Ho Jason now requires complex drugs to prevent organ rejection and infection. Because of that he requires close monitoring by a transplant pharmacist who will optimise the drug therapy and manage any complications that arise. “In addition to educating the patients on the proper administration of their medication, we ensure that patients understand the importance of their medications and comply with their medication regimen to achieve the best outcome.” – Lee Puay Hoon, Principal Pharmacist, SGH The dietitian works with Jason to develop a nutritional plan to meet his personal needs. This plan will be determined by the weight, blood results, kidney function, other medical conditions as well as medication side effects. “After transplant, some patients may be overly cautious and protective of their new kidney whilst others may assume that they can now eat whatever they want.” – Koay Saw Lan, Head, Dietitics & Nutrition Services, SGH Chronic kidney disease may have made Jason more prone to poor bone health. Bone disease management nurses like Nurse Clinician Zhang Rong Fang educate him about the risks and contributing factors to poor bone health and then lay out a treatment and maintenance plan so that he knows what to expect and be more prepared for the future. “No two patients are alike, but what they all need is someone to comfort them, give them more support,
explanation and assurance. Before I go into the medical details, I start off by giving them a listening ear and encourage them to look towards the bright side of life. Sometimes I even ask them about what they have achieved in their life and what a great job they have done for the operation.” – Zhang Rong Fang, Nurse Clinician Bone Disease Management Nurse
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The Happy Ending
After the care and treatment from all these healthcare professionals, Jason is now ready to face life with new vigour! Equipped with detailed knowledge of his condition and how to maximise the quality of his life after the kidney transplant, Jason bids farewell to SGH Campus with a new hope for life. The SGH Kidney Transplant Programme currently cares for 825 transplant recipients and 170 living donors, and has played a pivotal role in the more than 1,200 kidney transplants performed to date. “I am happy for my patients when I see them able to live life normally again. I am also amazed to see the donors’ selfless act of giving. It tells me that love means contributing, in the best way you can, to your loved ones and family.” – Janice Ho, Kidney Transplant Coordinator, SGH
* not real name
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Transplant Awareness on SingHealth’S Facebook
Catch our exclusive interview with Prof London Lucien Ooi, Chair of the SingHealth Transplant Steering Committee, where he shares his thoughts on the SingHealth Transplant Awareness Week. Also find out more about the professions behind the transplant services as well as interesting facts about transplant services in SingHealth! Visit SingHealth’s Facebook page and stay connected!
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families as they try to cope with the challenges illnesses bring. A common predicament is when a family’s plans for their old are in opposition to the patient’s own ideas. Such conflicts are sometimes compounded by the views of the doctors and medical personnel involved. “I have to answer to many groups,” Keith explained ruefully.
Chasing away
the elderly blues By Angele Lee
It doesn’t bother Keith Tan if work and personal life overlap, because a genuine interest in helping the elderly fuels what he does. “I’ve always been interested in issues affecting the elderly, right from my school days,” enthuses Keith Tan.
“At an age where you think folks should be more relaxed, it’s amazing how much they actually have to deal with.” – Keith Tan
The 32-year-old is a Senior Medical Social Worker (MSW) at SGH, with eight years of experience under his belt. Keith works primarily with elderly patients, and is passionate about their cause. “There are so many aspects to ageing,” he expounds. “At an age where you think folks should be more relaxed, it’s amazing how much they actually have to deal with.” As an MSW, Keith acts as the elderly patients’ advocate, not just sourcing appropriate care for them, but often also counselling their
“Sometimes it’s easier to accept when a patient passes on, than when they suffer,” said Keith. There are always issues of abuse or neglect to address, and part of his job is to look for signs that patients may be suicidal. While he believes that suicide is a very personal choice, Keith stresses that it is a route no one should have to take. “People need more support at the end of their lives,” he maintains. Despite filial piety being supposedly strong in our Asian culture, Keith feels there is much to work on before Singapore can fulfill the concept of ageing gracefully. Naturally, Keith describes his relationship with his own grandparents as “good”. Before his paternal grandmother passed away last year, Keith was able to bond with the ailing lady more easily than the other family members. Being an MSW helped, no doubt. The job can get very stressful, but it’s all in a day’s work for Keith. The bachelor relieves the pressure by hitting the gym fortnightly. He also plays the flute, and occasionally performs with a group of other flautists. Most recently, they played in aid of the Cancer Society at Christmas.
Vibrant Campus fastfact: SingHealth has more than 117 Medical Social Workers across the group.
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Target: Loyce Chua has been zapping tumours at the National Cancer Centre Singapore for 20 years. She tells us about the most challenging – and rewarding – time in her career. BY SHER MAINE WONG
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oyce Chua took 12 years to work her way up to a Senior Radiation Therapist.
The job of a Radiation Therapist is a challenging one, requiring a high degree of professionalism, independent thought and problem solving skills. Loyce’s eagerness to help cancer patients treat their tumours was what the former bank clerk and relief teacher considered a calling. Then the opportunity came for her to learn the ropes of Medical Dosimetry, which literally means determining suitable dosages of radiation to administer to the patient. Said Ms Chua: “Since the field of Medical Dosimetry was less ventured, I took up the challenged to explore it. I was willing to forgo my title as a Senior Radiation Therapist to start from scratch as a Junior Dosimetrist. Looking back now, I have no regrets for the sacrifices that I had made.” Apart from formal training, she was independent in her learning and this
allowed her to obtain her certification with the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board in USA in 2005 with only 2 years of experience. Today, the demand for Dosimetrists still outstrips supply. “We are in need of trained Medical Dosimetrists as radiation treatments evolve to keep up with the latest advancement in radiotherapy technology,” said the mother of twin sons. “Juggling between work and family is not easy. I get the strong family support that I need to be able to live my passion as a Medical Dosimetrist!” Despite the long working hours, however, she still has lots of passion for her job. She attends overseas training conferences and is excited about new emerging technologies like Proton and Arc Therapy. Said Ms Chua: “I take pride and responsibility in every radiation treatment plan that I do. It’s like a piece of art where you place your
heart and soul to factor in every detail. The outcome of my work has to meet the radiation oncologist’s expectations and has to be feasible for treatment on the patient.” She added: “With Singapore trying to be a medical hub, what I am doing is part of providing better quality treatment for patients.”
“It’s like a piece of art where you place your heart and soul to factor in every detail. The outcome of my work has to meet the radiation oncologist’s expectations and has to be feasible for treatment on the patient.”
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GPO Internship –
A Priceless Experience H
e’d heard the usual stories about interns being relegated to the photocopier, but when Timothy Goh actually embarked on his vacation internship at SingHealth’s Group Procurement Office (GPO), the experience turned out to be priceless. “It was a winner,” the 25-year-old says of his 12-week stint that started in April 2009. “The work at GPO was challenging and I learnt a lot. I also felt that I was contributing something. I gave SingHealth GPO an ‘Excellent’ rating in my internship report, highly recommending NUS to continue assigning undergraduates here.” This ability to engage our next generation did not happen without effort. “The GPO team took particular care to find rewarding work for me,” Timothy says appreciatively. “And the office treated me very well. It was like being part of a family, very nice!”
SingHealth GPO left a lasting impression, though, and he will keep it as an option when he eventually enters the workforce. “It’s a good place to be,” he says with a smile. GPO has hosted interns from Temasek Polytechnic since 2007. 2009 was the first time the programme was extended
to university undergraduates, with Timothy being the first. As the department admits, “GPO has benefitted tremendously from these highly motivated students.” It looks like a win-win situation: both GPO and the interns get the best deal with this internship programme. By Angele Lee
Procuring a successful seminar On 10 May 2010, GPO organised and ran the inaugural Strategic Sourcing for Healthcare Providers seminar, which saw industry experts from a global healthcare procurement come together for a day of sharing best practices and discussions. The first of its kind, the seminar started off with a keynote speech by Mr Michael DeLuca, director of Supply Chain Systems and Consulting Services of the University of Pittsburg Medical Centre. Industry experts from the healthcare supply chain management, the Ministry of Health and other government agencies then took the stage. “I’m pleased that the seminar turned out so well with interesting, informative and insightful presentations from local and foreign professionals as well as user champions from SingHealth. It’s heartening to know that 98% of the attendees rated the seminar as excellent or very good. A big thank you to all staff who have helped out in one way or another to make this event such a success.” - Mrs Chan Ek Huar, Director, Pharmaceutical Purchasing, GPO
For Timothy, this meant being part of a team evaluating proposals for a supply-chain management revamp at SGH Campus. It was a valuable exercise in assessing feasibility of ideas, contexts, and savings which he claims gave the “wow-factor” in his subsequent interviews after graduation. Timothy is going on to do a doubleMasters in Logistics & Supply Chain Management/Industrial Engineering with NUS-Georgia Tech. His stint at
Group Chief Procurement Officer Mr Tan Jack Thian, affirms the office’s focus on youths. “GPO, being the largest healthcare procurement agency, has a major role in attracting potential candidates to the healthcare procurement service and educating them with strategic sourcing knowledge. The internship programme provides students with real-life experience of a leading healthcare procurement service at work.”
GPO Team with speakers at the seminar
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SingHealth Kicks Off President’s Challenge 2010 with a Blockbuster! Polyclinics is happy to be taking the lead in organising the SingHealth group’s annual charity event this year.
105 children and youths from the Jamiyah Children’s Home and Gracehaven received a movie treat on 12 June 2010. Together with some 800 SingHealth staff and their families, the children watched the movie “Prince of Persia – The Sands of Time” in Vivocity’s Golden Village cinema. This charity movie screening was part of SingHealth’s outreach initiatives themed “We Are One Family” in aid of the President’s Challenge 2010. SingHealth
“Our group of institutions meets families every day. When one member of the family is ill, it affects the rest. We work in partnership with families from treatment and restoring health to preventing diseases. But we want to go beyond medical treatment,” said Dr Adrian Ee, Chairperson of the SingHealth PC2010 Organising Committee and Director of Clinical & Corporate Services, SingHealth Polyclinics. The fundraising effort kicked off in mid-July, and the top fundraiser will receive a limited edition prize. More outreach activities will be organised over the next few months with various President’s Challenge beneficiaries adopted by our institutions.
to President S R Nathan will take place at the Istana on 5 October 2010. Find out how you can participate in the series of community engagement activities driven by your institution! For more information, check out the SingHealth Desktop Portal http://mysinghealth/ Singhealth
SingHealth Corporate Office Empowers Youths! SingHealth Corporate Office staff will be helping BEYOND Social Services through their Learning Is For Everyone (LIFE) programme to develop literacy and build up the self-esteem of children from disadvantaged and low-income backgrounds.
As a group, SingHealth hopes to raise $250,000 for the beneficiaries. The grand finale and cheque presentation
A series of fun activities has been lined up from July to October 2010. These include: Youths Jazz It Up! Through a jazz dance programme, the youths learn fancy moves to express their energy and creativity and will put together a specially choreographed performance for President Nathan. Sharing of Life-skills Corporate office staff volunteers will share tips and secrets in life with the kids and double up as talent gurus, fashion stylists and make-up experts as they befriend the youths.
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and is just one of the many ways that SingHealth helps develop and nurture future doctors. The desire to care for life had been there from young. Ms Toh, who had grown up with pets, first wanted to be a veterinarian, and that caring nature carried on through her studies. In 2005, the former national sailor was introduced to SingHealth Group CEO Professor Tan Ser Kiat by a member of the sailing fraternity, which was where she was told about the DukeNUS Graduate Medical School. She took that as a sign to her eventual goal and enrolled to the prestigious institute.
Toh Liying has always wanted to heal. Her doctor aspirations caught a tailwind when she received the SingHealth Youth Award grant. BY SHER MAINE WONG
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spiring doctor Toh Liying, 25, was shocked by what she saw when she went to China last year. Accompanying Dr Tan Lai Yong – a doctor who left Singapore in 1996 to live in and do community work in the mountains of Yunnan – the final year biomedical student was aghast to discover how basic medical facilities were, and how little the doctors knew. “The hospitals were rundown and hygiene was an issue. Also, the doctors dispensed medicine but they did not know why,” said Ms Toh, who spent two weeks in Yunnan’s rural villages. For instance, native doctors might prescribe an overly strong anti-viral medicine with side effects to a sick pre-schooler.
Dr Tan spent his time educating the village doctors on sound medical practices. Ms Toh, a recipient of SingHealth’s Youth Award, is inspired to do the same when she earns her “Dr” honorific. “In future I hope to go to such places, not necessarily just Yunnan, to educate doctors on how to give better care, and help in any way I can,” said the Raffles Girls’ School and Victoria Junior College alumnus. Ms Toh, who just earned a degree in biomedical science from the Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, started her four-year course at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School in July. The grant given to the Youth Award winner by SingHealth helps Liying in her pursuit of her aspirations,
Duke-NUS is a strategic partner of SingHealth in training the next generation of doctors. Part of Ms Toh’s education will involve her being integrated into SingHealth institutions under the mentorship of its experienced professionals. “I wanted to be a clinician scientist,” said Ms Toh, whose initial degree from the Monash University allows her to do just research. “Now thanks to the grant by SingHealth and with my education at DukeNUS, I can also be a doctor and help people directly.”
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Rising Stars of
Nursing
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he nursing profession in Singapore was started in August 1885 by eleven French nuns. This year, as we celebrate 125 years of nursing in Singapore, it is apt to commemorate the milestones that we have achieved. Nursing practice has evolved from Functional Nursing in the 1960s to Team Nursing in the 1980s. Nurses today are encouraged to constantly upgrade their skills and are given plenty of opportunities to pursue their interests in one of the following nursing tracks: Clinical, Education, and Research. We are no longer simply bedside care providers; we are innovators, educators and policy-makers. This year, we are happy to start the celebrations with another outstanding achievement – as the first healthcare cluster in Singapore to be Magnet recognised. Receiving the prestigious Magnet recognition reaffirms the importance of nursing today. In the weeks leading to the Magnet designated site visit, SGH nurses rallied together with a common aim. They worked seamlessly in their teams, going the extra mile to deliver high quality care. Nurses from other institutions also showered them with plenty of support and encouragement. Thanks to the enthusiasm and creativity of our nurses, SGH became the first hospital in Asia to gain this outstanding accolade. I am particularly impressed with our young nurses. This experience has shown me just how passionate and dedicated our young nurses are to not just the profession, but to the institution as well. They did not shy away from the magnitude of the project
but boldly stepped up to take the lead. From developing departmental reference manuals to designing publicity materials, our young nurses have proven that they are capable of achieving greater things.
My fellow nursing directors and I are very proud of our young nurses. Here at SingHealth we believe in cultivating a vibrant environment for learning. We want to lift these people whom we mentor beyond their limits, encouraging them to surpass us with their skills. There is a Chinese saying that we hold dear: “长江后浪推前浪,世上今人胜古人” Society is ever changing; the successors have to surpass the predecessors. Our nurses have been paving the way for vast improvements to be made for the nursing profession. We have continuously set high standards for ourselves and consistently challenge ourselves to meet, and go beyond these standards. We hope that these rising stars will continue to develop nursing in Singapore and be unafraid to think out-ofthe-box. I am very glad to recognise the new generation of nurses and their valuable contributions to the nursing community this Nurses’ Day. Without these bright young sparks, we would not have achieved what we have today, nor will we be able to continue pushing ourselves beyond boundaries for the advancement of nursing and betterment of patient care.
To all our nurses,
A very happy
Nurses’ Day! — Assoc Prof Lim Swee Hia — Group Director, Nursing, SingHealth Director, Nursing, SGH Director, Nursing, NHCS
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Rising stars of nursing at SingHealth
Irresistibly H Attracted He had to overcome his father’s objection to his career choice but Andy now excels as a nurse. Fuelled by passion, Andy succeeds in making an impact on the lives of patients and fellow nurses. By Angele Lee
Staff Nurse ANDY CHUA, 24, Ward 64 (Rehab Medicine), Singapore General Hospital
e had a tough beginning, struggling to overcome his traditionalist father’s objections when he decided to take a nursing diploma. Andy’s passion in nursing developed early; an enthusiastic gardener since young, he sees an analogy between his work and his hobby. Lots of care needs to be provided to the seedlings, just like for the patients. And there is the satisfaction of seeing the plants bloom healthily and knowing that your patients are back in their pink of health. “Now I’m tending to a different and more delicate kind!” he quips. To Andy, his rapport with patients is vital. He quotes author William Shore: “When you give to others you create something within yourself that is important and lasting.” That, to him, sums up why he’s here. “I get a lot out of nursing,” he says. “It’s a cycle. In helping others, I become a better person, and I am motivated to do even more.” Although he has only been in SGH for nine months, the youth has cultivated many friendships such as one with a long-staying patient and his wife. “It’s great when patients know nurses by name, so it’s extra special to have this couple treat us like their own children. We even address them as “GanMa/GanBa” (Godma/Godpa). Recently, he fully immersed himself in SGH’s Magnet Accreditation drive. The logo he designed won the Magnet logo competition. He was also one of the hosts when the accreditors visited SGH for the site visit and even played tour guide, bringing the accreditors around Singapore! Additionally, Andy was selected to be the Master-ofCeremony for the closing event. His pivotal part in Magnet is an apt reflection of the important role young nurses play. Having decided to make nursing a
“It’s a cycle. In helping others, I become a better person, and I am motivated to do even more.”
life-long career, he is rooting himself firmly and extensively exploring his options in healthcare. He intends to pursue further studies, and eventually hopes to work in either the Clinical or Management sectors, where he feels he can excel and have a bigger impact on the lives around him.
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hen things need to get going smoothly and quickly, there’s nothing like teamwork. Nurse Jasmine Chen understands this firsthand – teamwork is critical both in the operating theatre as well as in her sport, dragonboating. Jasmine and her team have represented Singapore in three international championships, bringing back Gold in 2009. She compares being in a dragonboat team with nursing: “In both cases it’s like being part of a family, you look out for one another and help each other along.”
“You’ve got to love helping people… I make sure that everything I do makes a difference.” The 25-year-old recently received the Ministry of Health Nurses’ Day Merit Award on 24 July. “It’s such an honour! I thought I was too young for it,” she laughs. “I hope other nurses will be inspired by this. Our work may be tough, but it’s great to know that our supervisors recognise the effort we put in.” Jasmine’s patients inspire her to shine. “You’ve got to love helping people. Without the passion it’s like paddling upstream,” she says. “Being in the Operating Theatre is like being behind the scenes. The patients don’t really know how I help them, but, as my senior nurse manager always tells me, everything I do makes a difference.” She is also an ambassador for nursing through her volunteer work, which she regularly takes time off work for. “I had always dreamt of being a medic, going out to help people in Third World countries,” she shares. She has now managed to realise this vision through four mission trips in the past three years. Pulling together with other people for these expeditions has helped her build firm friendships especially at the Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where she has served thrice. She went to Bangladesh last year with a medical charity that provides cleft lip and palate repair surgeries. “Operation Smile was a real eye-opener. I was amazed at the number of people who travelled such long distances to see us. Despite their various disabilities, they were still very happy. This makes me think about how fortunate I am,” Jasmine muses. Jasmine sees herself as a Nurse Clinician in the future. “Nursing has helped me grow, when I compare myself to my peers outside work. Encountering life-and-death situations daily makes me feel vulnerable. It’s given me a need to live life to its fullest, because you never know what happens. I’ve become a risk-taker. Whatever I find to do, I’ll ‘just do it’!”
Creating Waves of Joy Jasmine does not only care for patients in the Operating Theatre, she also brings smiles to children in third-world countries. This award-winning nurse is also a competitive dragonboater to boot. By Angele Lee
Senior Staff Nurse JASMINE CHEN, 25, Major Operating Theatre, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
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Rising stars of nursing at SingHealth
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t was her desire to interact with people through work that led to her decision to join nursing. Previously an administrative assistant with an equipment supplier, Nursarini faced objections from her father when she decided on a career switch. Her father worried that she would not be able to handle the demands of nursing. Explaining why she made the switch, she says, “I like paperwork, but I like working with people more. In nursing, I get to do both!” Nursarini’s passion for her work did not go unnoticed. The 27-year-old is a 2010 Capitaland Healthcare Frontliners Award winner for exceptional performance during her nursing course. She plans to get her Advanced Diploma and Nursing Degree over the next few years. “My heart patients joke with me, saying I must have a big heart in order to take care of them,” she shares. The tender care she lavishes on her patients is carried over when she bakes. Every cake gets special attention and the fruit of her labour both at work, seeing patients recover, and in the kitchen, producing perfect cupcakes, brings joy to her. “It’s like, ‘Mmm, yes!’” she laughs. “I monitor my charges very closely, as heart patients’ conditions can change very suddenly,” Nursarini explains. “I make sure I take time to talk to my patients,” she says. “I’ll ask them, ‘Any worries? Is there something you’d like to share?’ Sometimes patients are too scared of the doctors to talk to them. As their advocate, I get them to open up to me so I can pass on their concerns.”
“I’ll ask them, ‘Any worries?’ Is there something you’d like to share?’ Sometimes patients are too scared of the doctors to talk to them. As their advocate, I get them to open up to me so I can pass on their concerns.” “Different patients having the same diagnosis may require different treatments, just like having different cake recipes. Nursing requires a lot of patience, just as in baking,” Nursarini expounds. “You have to follow the recipe with the correct ingredients, otherwise the cake won’t turn out right!”
All the Right Ingredients Nursarini turned her back on an office job for a more exciting career as a nurse. Armed with tender loving care, patience, and a dash of humour, she has all the right ingredients to make patients feel special. By Angele Lee
Staff Nurse NURSARINI BTE KAMSANI, 27, Cardiovascular Medicine, National Heart Centre Singapore
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Striking L a Gentler Chord
ike most other youths, Noreen dreamt of being a rock star. This girl who plays a mean guitar now finds her rush working as a nurse. “That’s why I enjoy working in a Clinic,” she smiles, “I get to interact with different patients every day, unlike in a ward where you tend to the same patients over a few days.” Her work in the Anaesthesia Clinic, seeing to pre-operation patients, suits her to a T. “I like conducting procedures, like taking blood and other tests for patients. It’s my favourite part of the job,” she laughs. She says about her patients, “Most of them have high blood pressure when they come in because they’re so worried!” Part of her job is to help them relax and calm them down before they go in for their operations.
Noreen Bte Ismail may only be 21, but that does not deter her from tackling the challenges of her job head-on. Aside from being a nurse, she is also a guitarist, a YOG volunteer, and an avid sportswoman. By Angele Lee
Staff Nurse NOREEN BTE ISMAIL, 21, Anaesthesia Clinic, Changi General Hospital
Noreen admits that nursing has changed her. “I used to be a tomboy, but I’ve since developed a softer approach towards patients and a gentler tone of voice.” Indeed, it is hard to imagine that this gentle and soft-spoken girl used to be a rock star during her school days! The change has earned her a fair share of compliments. She’s even had patients and their families come back to present her with little gifts like cakes. “At times like these, it feels really good to be a nurse!” Although she’s been with CGH barely over a year, the nurse has already received much positive feedback from patients, visitors and colleagues. She does not hesitate to build bonds with the people around her and has made many friends through the various sporting tournaments held there. The previous school sprinter now enjoys the game of the month, be it Captain’s ball, softball, floorball or volleyball, with her colleagues. She is also volunteering with the medical team at the Youth Olympic Games. “When I was offered the chance to help at the YOG, I said ‘yes’ straight away. It is a good experience and I’m looking forward to learning from it.” This is typical of Noreen, always eager to upgrade her skills. She would like to do a part-time Nursing degree eventually.
“The disadvantage is that patients often think I can’t do the job well because I look so young, but when I’ve demonstrated that I’m capable, they trust me. There may be difficult patients, but at the end of the day, when you see them smile at you, it reflects a job well done.”
Part of the learning process inevitably includes making mistakes, “but that’s where being so young is an advantage,” Noreen notes. “People tend to be more forgiving, and I appreciate that.” “The disadvantage is that patients often think I can’t do the job well because I look so young, but when I’ve demonstrated that I’m capable, they trust me. There may be difficult patients, but at the end of the day, when you see them smile at you, it reflects a job well done.”
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They are the young and the young at heart, and they are infusing SingHealth with their own brand of vibrancy. Meet five of our nurses as they share their insights on Generation Y.
A New Nursing Generation Back L-R: Selina, Elizabeth, Mohamed Amir Front L-R: Idayu, Mazilina
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-year-old Staff Nurse Mohammed Mohamed Amir, SGH, is poster boy for a restless generation who have found their calling helping others. “I get my satisfaction nursing patients back to health,” he says. He likes exploring new opportunities, such as when he acted as runner during the recent Magnet accreditation, providing the command centre with updates on the audit process. The preference for variety is a common theme for these young nurses. SHP’s Senior Staff Nurse Idayu Binte Kiamel’s favourite thing about her work is that “I could be immunizing children one week and counselling adults the next.” Both she and Amir have volunteered their time for the Youth Olympic Games. Senior Staff Nurse
Selina Tang, 32, NCCS, will also be there as a medical personnel with the Singapore Soka Association where she’s a volunteer. Idayu explains their enthusiasm, “We’ll be tending to injuries different from the chronic conditions we typically see. I also hope to pick up skills from other nurses.” This thirst for learning is another trait the nurses share. For SNEC’s Staff Nurse Elizabeth Phua, 22, the excitement is being there when new techniques are being used, “Learning, to me, is something special, always interesting and exciting.” The nurses’ seemingly boundless energy finds other outlets too. Elizabeth trains three times a week with her cheerleading team ‘Denvers’ from Potong Pasir CC.
Comparing her sport with nursing, Elizabeth says, “Passion
and teamwork are important for both, as well as constantly upgrading skills and learning new things.”
Selina, who spends a lot of time with the young people at Soka, declares, “Working with youths makes me feel younger.” She adds, “We have to keep in touch with them so we can communicate well.” For NDC’s Enrolled Nurse Mazilina Senin, 46, having two sons aged 18 and 24 helps her understand those she works with better. Mazilina is glad to see new blood coming into the profession. “Nursing has become more advanced, especially in the technology used,” she explains. “It’s good to get younger ones in.”
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Rising stars of nursing at SingHealth
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SNEC Celebrates Nurses’ Day! SNEC staff celebrates with their nurses over lunch with a special makan session on 29 July.
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25 Our Nurses are Magnetic! On 27 April 2010, SGH became the first hospital in Asia and third outside USA to achieve the prestigious Magnet Accreditation.
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Our Nurses offer Star 2 Service! SingHealth is proud to celebrate the achievements of three of our nurses, who were recipients of this year’s PS21 Star Service Awards. In a ceremony held on 21 May 2010, the awards were given to staff that go beyond their call of duty to provide excellent service. Our Nurses are Compassionate! 3 SingHealth congratulates our 19 nurses for being conferred the Courage Fund Healthcare Humanity Award on 24 May 2010! The award recognises extraordinary individuals who exemplify the values of courage, dedication, selflessness, steadfastness in ethics, compassion and humanity. Our Nurses are Graphic Designers! Designed by our very own nurses for the Nurses Day’ Movie Poster contest, our winning team of nurses demonstrates not just a huge dose of creativity but excellent teamwork as well.
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Our Nurses are Film Stars! Head over to the SingHealth Facebook Page and check out special videos done by our nurses in conjunction with Nurses’ Day! Who said that nurses don’t know how to have fun?
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Our Nurses are on the SGH Campus Buses! Look out for SGH Shuttle Buses adorned with pictures of our inspiring and caring nursing talent.
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Istana Nurses’ Day Celebrations! Our nurses head to the Istana for a special tea reception on 29 July, hosted by His Excellency, President S R Nathan.
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Our Nurses are everywhere (on Campus)! SGH Campus celebrates Nurses’ Day with lamppost banners displayed all over campus. Our Nurses are the Stars of Healthcare! Movie Magic comes to SingHealth on 28 July as we celebrate Nurses’ Day.
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Special Guest Appearance on Nurses’ Day! Minister Lim Swee Say graces our event as Guest-of-Honour once again! What surprise has he in store for us this time around?
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Our Nurses are Authors! Steady, Stable and Safe – An Overview of Fall Prevention is the latest book in a series of publications done by our nurses, which includes the SingHealth Pocket Guide for Nurses and the Wound Management Guide for Healthcare Professionals.
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Our Nurses have BIG Hearts! SingHealth nurses join forces with the Healthcare Services Employees’ Union to launch a community outreach programme for needy discharged patients! Made possible by a $100,000 donation from NTUC Fairprice Foundation, the yearlong pilot project allows our nurses to play a part in improving the quality of life for their patients.
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D.S. Lee Awards and President’s Award for Nurses announced! Our nurses are once again recognised for their outstanding work on 28 July. Yet another reason to celebrate with us this Nurses’ Day!
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KKH Celebrates Nurses’ Day! KKH staff and nurses celebrate with an award presentation ceremony for the Roselin Cheilliah Award and Director of Nursing Award, cake-cutting and a buffet spread for all on 30 July.
SHP Celebrates Nurses’ Day! SingHealth Polyclinics bring their nurses to Ang Mo Kio NTUC Club to relax on 31 July.
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NDC Celebrates 17 Nurses’ Day! NDC nurses demonstrate their vocal talents at Orchard Cineleisure’s Kbox for a karaoke singout on 31 July. CGH Nurses’ Day 2010! CGH is holding a halfday celebration for their nurses on 1 August. There’ll be staff performances, award presentations, a lucky draw and a scrumptious lunch!
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Deck on 9 on 5 August. There will be plenty of performances as nurses celebrate the Magnet achievement! From 1 Nursing Track to 3! Nursing is no longer just about caring for patients. Now, nurses are given opportunities to upgrade their skills in Clinical, Education or Management track.
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Celebrating the APN! As the profession evolves, there is increasing importance in the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse, a nurse qualified to provide advanced clinical care to patients similar to that of a junior doctor.
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Our Nurses are innovators! Our nurses don’t solely focus on patient care. They also actively seek ways to solve problems faced in their daily work. Some examples of improved practices are the fall prevention programme, standardisation of patient identification tags and reduction of distractions during medical rounds.
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Separately, our nurses are also involved in nurse charting, a MICO project to digitise data for easier information sharing, resulting in more time for their patients. Our Nurses go beyond the call of duty! SingHealth nurses continue to give back to the community by encouraging volunteerism. Our nurses have been actively involved in mission trips, medical emergencies, community work and most recently, volunteering in the YOG medical team!
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Our Nurses Make News Headlines! Celebrate the milestones and achievements of SingHealth nurses in our special Sunday Times Supplement on 1 August.
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SGH Nurses’ Day 2010! SGH staff comes together to thank their nurses at the
25 A Legacy of Pride We’re into the 125th year of nursing and there’s plenty to celebrate! From 11 French nuns who were our first nurses to a comprehensive nursing system today, we’ve certainly come a long way! Here’s to more outstanding progress for Nursing in the years to come!
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TO EVERY
CHALLENGE It was Linus Lin’s selflessness and determination to overcome the hard knocks that came his way that led SGH Medical Social Worker Andy Sim to nominate the young man for an Inspirational Patient award.
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SingHealth Inspirational Patient Award 2010
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r Lin, who turns 26 this year, was brought up by his mother, a cleaner, because his father, a drug abuser, was largely absent. But one day a thought came to him that changed his life. “My turnaround moment came sometime in Sec 3 or 4 when I decided to stop thinking about myself all the time and think more of others, especially my mother,” he said. “It dawned on me that it would please my mother if I studied of my own accord instead of she having to chase me to study. I used that as my motivation to study, knowing that I would ultimately benefit myself!” Even as he looked towards a new beginning, a series of challenges would emerge to test his resolve.
had Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) or lupus, an autoimmune disease where the body’s defences attack its own healthy organs. To keep the disease under control, Mr Lin had to start taking high doses of immuno-suppressants and steroids, avoid intense outdoor activities and stress, and stay out of the sun for the rest of his life. Despite all that, undeterred by the persistent feeling of unwellness, he pushed himself hard and passed with second upper class honours. Since then, Mr Lin has run a marathon and has even picked up horse riding. Mr Lin’s display of willpower and determination doesn’t surprise SGH’s Mr Sim. “On our very first meeting, Linus asked if he could speak to others with the same condition because he wanted to learn more about this disease,” said Mr Sim.
A student “I get very motivated from the normal by people like (academic) stream, Mr Linus Lin Linus who want to help Mr Lin went against themselves. It makes me want to expectations and won a place in help them even more!” a junior college. But at this time, his mother was diagnosed with His friends and family, especially cancer, and Mr Lin had to work to his mother, aren’t fully aware of Mr help pay for his mother’s bills. He Lin’s condition and its seriousness. managed to do well enough to score They know that he has been warded a place at the Singapore Institute of and they know he takes medication, Management, but more problems but “I just kept it vague when I told were ahead. (my mother) why I was hospitalised. I didn’t want to worry her. As for my While preparing for his final friends, I don’t want their sympathy,” year exams in early 2009, Mr Mr Lin said. Lin suddenly fell ill and was told he
Even with a life-threatening disease, it’s others that he thinks about first. “When he started working, the first person he thought of was his mother. He wanted to help her pay some bills at home. He told me he would ‘squeeze’ his other expenses but he needed help with half the expenses of his medicine,” said Mr Sim, adding that immuno-suppressant medication costs about $1,000 a month. But to Mr Lin, the circumstances that he has found himself in are challenges that he will overcome. “I only live once so I want to challenge myself. I have yet to fail in anything where I’ve done my best!” he said.
Despite all that, undeterred by the persistent feeling of unwellness, he pushed himself hard and passed with second upper class honours. Since then, Mr Lin has run a marathon and has even picked up horse riding.
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SingHealth Inspirational Patient Award 2010
It’s All Up To
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r Ho Kai Chiew was overweight and led a sedentary lifestyle. So no one, least of all himself, was surprised when he was diagnosed with diabetes. What was surprising, though, was how promptly he worked to get his condition under control, giving up his favourite food, steamed red bean buns, and starting on an exercise regimen that included cycling, swimming and walking. Behind the motivation to become healthier is Mr Ho’s great fear that he might have to have his arm or leg amputated, or his eyesight lost if he allowed his diabetes to worsen. Mr Ho firmly believes that to improve his condition, he couldn’t rely on anyone (doctors or nurses) but himself to achieve the goal of keeping his diabetes under control. With no knowledge about diabetes, the 67-year-old quickly set about gathering information of the disease. He started by attending a workshop for newly diagnosed diabetics to learn about the condition and how to take care of himself. He went on to attend regular meetings and later volunteered to be the class group leader, subsequently becoming Chairman of the Mandarin Diabetes Support Group at Tampines Polyclinic, a position he still holds.
Now, Mr Ho is at every meeting, eagerly sharing his knowledge and experience in managing his medical condition with new patients. He hopes that by doing so, he will be able to encourage and motivate them to work hard at getting better. Knowing how difficult it is to stick to a prescribed diet and exercise, Mr Ho calls patients at home to encourage them. He understands their problems because some years ago, pressured by family problems, Mr Ho almost gave up the fight against diabetes. Luckily, he had the former Senior Staff Nurse Ho Swee Chun of Tampines Polyclinic to encourage him. For that reason, he hopes that other polyclinics will start similar workshops and support groups to help their patients. For Nurse Ho, determined patients like Mr Ho spur them to do more for their patients. “It is patients like Mr Ho that help us nurses to be more motivated and want to do more,” said Senior Staff Nurse Ho.
Mr Ho Kai Chiew and Senior Staff Nurse Ho Swee Chun
Knowing how difficult it is to stick to a prescribed diet and exercise, Mr Ho calls patients at home to encourage them. He understands their problems because some years ago, pressured by family problems, Mr Ho almost gave up the fight against diabetes.
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SingHealth Inspirational Patient Award 2010
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to teach PMETs how to be more effective in managing human capital issues and challenges. Mr Tan also wants to help other patients. He has used his experience in developing course materials for adults and help Pasir Ris Polyclinic review a service information booklet for patients, looking at the disease from the perspective of the patient. He also shares his battle with his illness with the other patients in the hope that they may benefit from his experience. “I look 10 years younger!” says Mr Tan now that he leads a more healthy and balanced life. His advice to all: Keep up with friends to connect; take an interest in life around you; focus on activities that are close to your heart; and go for regular medical check-ups because you may not get a second chance!
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r Tan Thian Seng walks 3km every morning, plays tennis twice a week with his sons or friends, and golfs two to three times a month. This routine may be nothing to shout about but for the fact that Mr Tan is 65, and he adopted this lifestyle to keep his health in check. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 2000, and arterial blockage in the heart in 2008 which led to a quadruple bypass. To keep his heart healthy and his blood sugar level low, Mr Tan had made a radical change to his lifestyle, which included having a strict no-sugar, low-carbs diet and cutting down on his favourite food like goreng pisang and seafood.
Today, Mr Tan’s HbA1c blood sugar level measures “about 6.7- 6.8,” an excellent score. According to Dr Tan Ngiap Chuan, Director, Pasir Ris Polyclinic, it was sheer determination and perseverance that enabled Mr Tan to overcome his illness and his heart condition. Mr Tan, he added, is imbued with a fighting spirit that refuses to let his illness control him. Looking forward to a bright future, Mr Tan is planning a family holiday to various parts of Europe. At work, he has developed a programme for NUS Extension called Professional Diploma in Strategic Human Capital Management, which is designed
“Keep up with friends to connect; take an interest in life around you; focus on activities that are close to your heart; and go for regular medical check-ups because you may not get a second chance!”
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Continuing the Legacy of
Medical Giants E
minent luminaries in medicine are few and far in between – but one who is not just a great physician but also an inspiring teacher, caring colleague and loyal friend – is a gem to be treasured. Not one but four such personalities were honoured when they lent their names to the advisory colleges of Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore. Emeritus Prof Sir Datuk Gordon Arthur Ransome, Prof Seah Cheng Siang, Dr Benjamin Sheares and Prof Eugene Stead are each a medical legend in his own right, having made historic contributions to the annals of medicine and served others selflessly. Group CEO Prof Tan Ser Kiat gave the introduction for the late Prof Sir Gordon Arthur Ransome, whom he had the privilege to be trained under. As a medical veteran and Duke-NUS Board member, Prof Tan highlighted Prof Ransome’s contributions to the field of medicine and recognised the immense impact of his work on teaching and mentoring.
The naming is particularly apt as advisory colleges traditionally cultivate the professional development and personal well-being of medical students. Dean of DukeNUS Prof Ranga Krishnan expounds, “By branding them after some of the most inspirational role models in medicine, we hope our students at the Advisory Colleges can aspire towards being such beacons, not just in the medical community but also in their everyday lives.” In a warm and cosy ceremony held on 19 May 2010 at Duke-NUS, guests and family members of the four luminaries honoured witnessed the official naming of the Seah Cheng Siang College, the Gordon Arthur Ransome College, the Benjamin Sheares College and the Eugene Stead College. May the medical students that pass through the halls of these colleges continue to keep the torch of service, education and excellence lit for many generations to come.
BY MONICA LIM
Quick Facts Seah Cheng Siang (1922–1990) • Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Singapore and headed medical units at SGH and Toa Payoh Hospital (the present CGH) • Founded the Gastroenterological Society • Dedicated to undergraduate and postgraduate medical training in Singapore, setting up the MRACP courses for internal medicine • Fondly remembered for his excellent bedside manners and keen clinical acumen Gordon Arthur Ransome (1910–1978) • Appointed Associate Professor of Medicine at the then King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore at age 28 by virtue of his skills and interest in neurology • Founded and became the first Master of the Singapore Academy of Medicine • During World War II, devised a systematic scheme of investigating fever of unknown origin and saved lives of unconscious cerebral malaria patients through the innovative use of Ryle’s tube • Renowned for his altruism, memorable teaching and unfailing kindness Benjamin Henry Sheares (1907–1981) • Singapore’s second President and “Father of Modern Obstetrics and Gynaecology” (O&G) • First Singaporean to specialise in O&G and first local to be appointed Professor of O&G at the University of Malaya in Singapore • Pioneered the Lower Segment Caesarean Section which is the gold standard today • Created and published a paper on the Vaginoplasty surgical procedure which was named after him Eugene Anson Stead, Jr (1908–2005) • Chairman of the Department of Medicine and Dean of the School of Medicine at Emory University • Served as the Chairman of Medicine at Duke University for 20 years • Played a pivotal role in shaping the vision of Duke
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At home with
Nursing from the Heart
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At home with...
Leong Yoke Yin Senior Nurse Manager, CGH
Decorated nursing veteran Leong Yoke Yin has a Masters degree to her name and several awards to boot. But what she speaks most passionately about is service from the heart. BY SHER MAINE WONG
M
s Leong Yoke Yin was recently invited to two very special wedding dinners. The couples were not her relatives, neither were they her friends.
“Some family members were admitted to hospital and I saw how the nurses carried out their jobs. The dedication they showed stayed in my mind.”
They were the families of patients she had nursed in hospital.
She also joined the St. John Ambulance Brigade when she was studying at the Mount Vernon Secondary School, and she went on hospital visits together with the group. “I decided that nursing was the job for me.”
The probability of patients inviting their hospital nurse to their children’s wedding dinners is dim, but then Ms Leong is no ordinary nurse. Ms Leong, 53, senior nurse manager at Changi General Hospital, has made a name for herself in her 33 years on the job as a nurse who really cares. Patients become her friends. “Nursing is a calling and I enjoy this vocation. My passion for nursing had turned it into a vocation for me over the years!” said Ms Leong. She had always wanted to be a nurse, from the time she was a young girl.
“You may be very intelligent, savvy in nursing technology, and have good knowledge and skills, but do you still make a conscientious effort to identify and deliver the basic needs of your patient?”
She graduated as a Registered Nurse from Singapore’s School of Nursing in July 1977 and has been serving in hospitals under the Ministry of Health, including the Singapore General Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the old Changi Hospital and currently, the Changi General Hospital. Along the way, she continually padded up her resume, first with a Diploma in Ophthalmic Nursing in 1980 from Moorfields in London, then a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Health Science from the Singapore Institute of Management. She tells us that consistently upgrading ourselves with skills and knowledge is necessary. “Thirty-three years ago when I started, you can happily become a nurse with just an O-level certificate. Nurses were viewed as hand maidens for doctors,” said Ms Leong. “Now nursing is a profession. You must be competent in your skills and have depth of knowledge.”
How the nursing profession has grown in stature over the years is something Ms Leong is justifiably proud of. Nurses today are clinically active. They can, for instance, put a needle into the patient’s arm to set up a drip. Thirty years ago, only the doctor could do that. Said Ms Leong: “Nurses can advise or make recommendations to patients based on evidenced–based studies and research.” For her, she also felt compelled to study as her role become
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in 2007 and Service Quality Award from 1998 to 2008. Away from work, she likes to spend time with her husband, a retired army officer, and three sons aged 20 to 25. Sometimes on weekends, she invites relatives to her place to cook up a storm. “I love to cook, especially Cantonese cuisine,” said Ms Leong. Her specialty dishes include a fried mixed vegetable dish called Loh Hon Chai, and duck stewed with chestnuts. She has also put her skills to good use outside of her workplace by following her church on organised mission trips. She has made three trips, each lasting about two weeks, to Thailand and Indonesia. elevated from staff nurse to Senior Nurse Manager.
inspires and drives Ms Leong in her daily work and her training.
Today she has 42 nurses under her wing.
For instance, she tells nurses: “When a patient asks for Milo, you should not just make the Milo. Ask if the patient wants it lukewarm or steaming hot, or if they like it sweeter.” She believes that service excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.
“I must have the knowledge to teach my juniors,” said Ms Leong. “If I were a nurse manager with O-levels talking to a junior nurse with a degree, they might doubt my words. I am pursuing knowledge to match them and ensure that I can mentor them at greater depth.” However, beyond book knowledge, what Ms Leong speaks passionately about is a tenet which she calls “the basics” of nursing: Are nurses providing a level of care good enough for their own mother without the need for special arrangements? Said Ms Leong: “You may be very intelligent, savvy in nursing technology, and have good knowledge and skills, but do you still make a conscientious effort to identify and deliver the basic needs of your patient?” The tenet, which is the quality statement of Changi General Hospital,
“Basic needs” can be simple and accounts for customer’s satisfaction and safety; yet not seen as priority by new generations of nurses. For example, they should assist a patient with a fractured wrist to cut up food, check to make sure patients’ food trays are placed within reach, and even place the call bell within reach to enable patients to alert the nurses when the need arises. It is these basics which have won Ms Leong a gamut of service awards: The PS21 Star Service Award and Humanity Award this year, Excellence Service Award (EXSA) in 2009 and 2006, the GCEO Excellence Award
On these mission trips, she attended to wound care, foot care, created awareness of good hygiene and conducted simple health teachings on first aid and nutrition. What motivates her on her mission trips and at work, is the need to make a tangible difference. She said: “I always remind myself that ‘Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the contributions we make before our breath is taken away’. I want to make a difference in the lives of others and maximise every moment I have in my service journey.”
She believes that service excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well. “Basic needs” can be simple and accounts for customer’s satisfaction and safety; yet not seen as priority by new generations of nurses.
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Chocolate Muah Chee
Try the Mango Sago with Pomelo or Durian Sago when you’re feeling the heat. For a few cents more, you can opt to bump up the already-generous portions with extra chunks of ripe mango over the former’s lusciously smooth mango puree and juicy pomelo sacs, or more durian pulp on the latter for that extra oomph. Granny’s specialty cooler Sugar Granny Icy Swirl is for those with an extra sweet tooth. A recipe personally concocted by the owner’s wife, it contains passionfruit, soursop, nata de coco and selasi seeds in a sweet lime drink.
From top left: Slim Chendol, Sugar Granny Icy Swirl, Mango Sago with Pomelo, Durian Sago
R
ight at the doorstep of the North-East Line’s Outram Park Station at 5 Teo Hong Road, is a little dessert cafe called Sugar Granny. It serves up a range of hot and cold desserts and snacks in a retro-cool setting that’s perfect for chilling out after a long shift.
Traditional snacks also come in variations, like muah chee on a stick with chocolate sauce or Slim Chendol (made with Carnation instead of coconut milk) for those watching the calories. Hot desserts like the Peanut Paste also get a thumbs up for being smooth and refreshing without being too thick or cloying in taste. Another house specialty is their deboned chicken wings. Opening hours are 1pm - 11pm (SunThu), and 1pm - 1am (Fri-Sat).
Orh Nee, Sesame Paste
For those of you who are musically inclined, Sugar Granny is annexed to a studio available for jamming sessions. You’ll probably also find some instruments up for sale by Ex Pro clusive the dessert Sing motion counter. Heal for
th S F Sept rom now taff emb your er, ju till st s orde aff pass t flash ring b a com to rec efore ei plim stick enta ve o chee f mua ry h wi $20 th every spen t.
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the menopause. It is recognised though, that the chances of getting pregnant are reduced when the women gets older, typically after the age of 35. In addition, pregnancies that are conceived in older women are at higher risks of miscarriages. These pregnancies are also at higher risk of Down Syndrome – 1 in 100 pregnancies in women at the age of 40 can be affected.
you? ARE
READY TO BE
A MOTHER
Pregnancy is a very exciting time in a woman’s life, but it can also be a time filled with questions and concerns. Knowing more about pre-pregnancy preparation, delivery options and the medical truths on myths of pregnancy can help to dispel worry and uncertainty. The questions and answers have been edited for length.
THE SPECIALIST: Dr. Tan Thiam Chye Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Assistant Professor, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Dr. Tan Eng Loy Associate Consultant, Dept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Singapore General Hospital
Q: I am just past 40 years old and have one child aged 6 years. Is it too late for me to have a second child? We have been trying for the past one and a half to two years, but without success. What are the risks involved and what should I do to improve my chances, as well as reduce any potential risks? Or should I not try? Dr. Tan Eng Loy: Biologically, a woman can potentially get pregnant as long as she has not undergone
Older women are more likely to have existing chronic medical problems (e.g. diabetes and high blood pressure) which can become harder to control during pregnancy. I would suggest seeing your doctor early for a check-up and discussion before making your decision. In the event that you get pregnant, do see an obstetrician early so that the necessary tests and follow-ups can be scheduled for you. Q: My first child was delivered vaginally. My second child was delivered by C-section. I am expecting my third child. I learnt that there is a 0.5% risk of rupture of the wound and severe stress incontinence. Are those good medical reasons to opt for C-section? Does repeated vaginal delivery affects the elasticity of this muscle? Dr. Tan Thiam Chye: The chance of a successful Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) resulting in a natural delivery is between 60-70%. This is generally higher for women who have had previous successful vaginal deliveries. As the chance of a successful vaginal delivery is high in properly selected cases, you are able to avoid a repeat Caesarean section – thus avoiding the associated surgical and anesthetic risks. In addition, it gives you an option to undergo another VBAC in the subsequent pregnancy. However, another vaginal delivery may worsen
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your vaginal wall elasticity and the stress incontinence.
babies die or suffer permanent brain damage.
The main concern is the risk of uterine rupture or tear.
If you desire VBAC and your doctor deems you suitable for this, you will be allowed a short trial of labour. If the labour is not progressing as well as expected, or if the baby’s heart beat is worrying, then an emergency Caesarean section will be carried out.
The incidence of uterine rupture is quoted as 0.5% after 1 previous lower segment Caesarean section, and 4-9% after a previous classical Caesarean section. Even if you have had a successful VBAC in the previous pregnancy, it does not negate the existing risks of uterine rupture in your current pregnancy.
Health Xchange August Discussion topic: Common eye conditions in the elderly, thyroid disorder. Don't want to miss a session? Register for free at www.healthxchange.com.sg and receive early alerts on upcoming topics.
Uterine rupture can be lifethreatening for both mother and child. It may need surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy). If there is uterine rupture, up to 30% of
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Step 2 Go to the “promotion of the month – Recommend–A– Friend” section and fill in your friends/families email address and key in the promotion code. Health Xchange will send your friend/family an invitation email.
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A Day in the Life of
A Pioneer SingHealth Resident In his third M.O. posting after two years of National Service, Tan Yi Hua takes up on SingHealth’s pioneer Residency programme in Paediatrics. Angele Lee records a typical day at KKH for him. especially when the cases are more complex.
10.30am
7.30am
The day starts with my daily morning ward round. As I see the patients, it’s also nice to meet the nurses I have worked with during my previous posting here some years back. I’m coming back to work in a friendly place with a good feeling.
8.30am
The Registrars and Consultants join me as I make my rounds in the ward. Knowing that there is always someone I can turn to for advice allows me to confidently work out treatment plans for the children,
I follow up on the changes ordered this morning, whether it is further history or examination required, blood tests ordered, or having to call the Specialty Consultants for advice or referrals. I also update families who may not have been with the children in the morning. Thereafter, I join the sub-specialty team that I am posted to for the month to review the patients, either new referrals or on long term follow up, who are admitted into the hospital.
12 noon
A quick stop at McDonald’s for a takeaway, yummy! Back in one of the meeting rooms, the Residents are gathered for a lecture as part of
my protected teaching time. Other lunches have included CICU Rounds with case presentations, or discussing improvement opportunities at a Mortality Round. The Residency Programme offers a good proteaching environment which is wellstructured and systematic.
2.00pm
In the afternoon I run the outpatient clinic as the main attending doctor. There is also a supervising doctor at the session, from whom I pick up the finer points of management and communication skills. I chose Paediatrics because I like the challenges it offers. Children often aren’t able to describe what they feel so it’s up to me to pick up the signs. Treating them and making a positive difference to their recovery process is personally for me very satisfying! I also enjoy interacting with both children and their parents.
5.30pm
Work is officially over. There’s still some follow-up to do and paperwork to be cleared, so I’ll be here for another hour or so. One thing I’ve always appreciated about being with SingHealth is the great work-life balance I can maintain, even while gaining my fair share of professional experience. SingHealth truly lives up to its reputation for being people-oriented!
The SingHealth Residency Programme is in full swing! The faculty welcomed their first batch of residents in May 2010, and is hard at work for the second batch of specialties and students in 2011. Visit the Residency resource portal on our intranet http://mysinghealth/singhealth/residency for more information, and be sure to search up SingHealth Residency on Facebook!
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The
SilenT COMPANIONS S
ome may find the strong chemical smells emitting from her lab hard to stomach, but June Lee, who oversees the Clinical Skills Laboratory at SingHealth Academy, finds peace and quiet among her cadaveric lab companions. The young Anatomy Technologist gives a rundown on the process of preparing cadavers (corpses): “It all starts at the mortuary’s loading bay,” she explains, where she waits for the cadavers to arrive. She makes sure she has some “strong lab attendants” with her, as the bodies are usually packed in heavy boxes with lots of dry ice. The boxes are transferred to the lab repository where the cadavers are moved onto trolleys and then covered up. The following day, she assesses the cadavers’ conditions and takes steps
to prevent decomposition, including injecting formalin and wrapping the extremities in stockinettes. A thorough spray with wetting solution ensures the cadavers are good to keep for a while, though she will check on them periodically over the weeks ahead. “My father doesn’t really understand what I do, so he’s fine with it, but my mum keeps asking me to look for other opportunities,” said June with a laugh. Relatives, on the other hand, are very curious. June relates, “Over Chinese New Year, as I was explaining my job to a relative, I suddenly realised that more and more people had gathered around me. I felt like I was holding a seminar!” Perhaps she just shares her extended family’s taste for the macabre. June’s favourite movies include iconic Japanese horror flicks like The Ring and Dark Water, as
BY ANGELE LEE
well as Hong Kong vampire movies. She says, “I really like horror movies, but oddly enough since starting this job I haven’t had the mood for it. I don’t like the feeling of dread they generate.” She admits she was “a bit traumatised” in her second month on the job, when she spent an entire period alone in the lab tagging cadavers. Ironically, June sometimes prefers dealing with cadavers than with live people because people can be hard to please. “Sometimes the doctors and surgeons can be quite demanding, giving us a very short timeline to work with,” she quips cheekily. While some might prefer the company of a crowded office, June will be quick to agree on the benefits of her silent companions.
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CONTEST For this issue’s contest,
tell us why you love our
nurses!
The best three answers win a $20 Borders Gift Card each! Send us your answer of not more than 100 words to me.sh@singhealth.com.sg Closing date: 20 August 2010 Here are the answers to last issue’s quiz:
And here are our lucky winners!
Q: Name the two qualities of the Tembusu tree that symbolises SingHealth’s strength and ability to withstand challenges such as H1N1 and SARS. A: Hardiness and Resilience.
Noraleen San Jose, Enrolled Nurse, NHCS Jade Tan, Clinic Executive, SHP-Queenstown Alaska Ng, Comms Executive, SGH
Q: What is the central theme of the SingHealth President’s Challenge outreach this year? A: We are One Family. Q: Which SingHealth institution will have its new building in the space vacated by Vickers’ House? A: The National Heart Centre Singapore
Each of them will receive a Borders gift card worth $20. me+SH will be contacting the winners shortly with prize collection details. “Plant A Wish For Tomorrow” iPod draw Thank you for telling us your wish for tomorrow’s healthcare! Here are the three lucky winners of the iPods: iPod Touch: Tina Tang, Administrative Assistant, SHP Head Office iPod Nano: Nur Hafizah Amzah, Dental Surgery Assistant, NDC iPod Shuffle: Yap Mee Li, Dietitian, SGH me+SH will be contacting the winners with prize collection details.
Reduce your wait at Staff Clinic was reduced through leveling of patient load (i.e. shifting cases from peak to off-peak periods). By making an appointment, arrival pattern to the clinic is regulated, resulting in a smoother patient flow.
On average, staff who made appointments were seen almost twice as quickly as others who walk in. In addition, they have the benefit to choose their desired appointment time. All in all, a better service experience.
A staff commented,
I
rregular arrival pattern to the Staff Clinic was one of the contributing factors to the long waiting time experienced by staff. With the introduction of the appointment service, waiting time
"It took me 40 minutes to get a consultation during my previous walkin visits. Now, with the appointment system, I got to see the doctor in just 10 minutes!"
Appointments may be made from 9.30am (Monday to Friday) and up to one week in advance at
6321 4768.
Casting Call: SingHealth Nurses You are the Stars of Healthcare! Join us for Movie Magic at our Nurses’ Day Party 2010! Guest-of-Honour: Mr Lim Swee Say Minister, Prime Minister’s Office Secretary-General, NTUC
Members Of The Singhealth Group
Date: 28th July 2010 (Wednesday) Time: 12.30 - 3.30pm Venue: Bowyer Block Carpark C, SGH Campus Special appearances by popular movie characters. Don’t forget to bring your cameras!