SingHealth's recently launched Investigational Medicine Unit (IMU), is a dedicated clinical trials facility. It focuses on early phase trials and therefore looks for both healthy and patient volunteers to take part in its studies. But what are volunteers required to do? Dr Darren Lim, SingHealth IMU's acting director, explains the role of volunteers, the safeguards in place and dispels common myths.

Lianhe Zaobao (zbNOW), pg 2

A surprise guest gatecrashed the SingHealth Nurses' Day movie-themed party this year. Appearing in disguise, Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister for Prime Minister's Office and Secretary-General, NTUC, heroically arived at the party as the legendary Zorro, giving out roses to the nurses in appreciation of their dedication in caring for patients. Minister Lim also launched a community outreach programme initiated by SingHealth nurses and the Healthcare Services Employees Union (HSEU), to help needy patients upon discharge with the necessary resources to manage their conditions at home. Read more about the celebrations.

The Straits Times, pg B6
Lianhe Zaobao, pg 6
mypaper, pg A3

The joint programme by SingHealth and the Healthcare Services Employees' Union (HSEU) aims to ensure continuity of care for needy patients who are discharged from hospitals. They and their caregivers will be equipped with resources to manage their health conditions at home, so as to avoid hospital readmission. Read about how SingHealth nurse volunteers, many of whom are HSEU's leaders and members, provide ceaseless care for these patients.

Lianhe Zaobao, pg 5 (21 July)
Berita Harian, pg 4 (22 July)

SingHealth intends to bring the group's transplant programmes together to enable healthcare professionals to deepen their knowledge and understanding of transplants, streamline operations and provide a dedicated service to patients. Professor London Ooi, head of SGH's division of surgery and chairman of the steering committee to develop the transplant centre, said that a one-stop clinic will mean that patients with other medical issues will no longer need to shuttle from one clinic to another. This cuts the risk of them contracting infections, given that transplant patients often have low immunity. He also outlined the development phases of SingHealth Comprehensive Transplant Services, with a specialist SOC set up by 2012 and a transplant ward by 2015.

The Straits Times, pg B2 (13 July)
Lianhe Zaoabo, pg 9 (13 July)

Minister's Blog (10 July)

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan introduced the "pre-employment grant" (PEG) to woo overseas medical students to come home and serve in public hospitals facing a shortage of doctors. SingHealth's Group Chief Executive, Professor Tan Ser Kiat said the grant complements SingHealth's ongoing efforts to engage Singaporean students abroad. Singapore medical students who qualify for the PEG could also look forward to the new residency programme that offers an additional opportunity for specialty training.

The Straits Times - pg A10

SingHealth teamed up with IBM and SAP to standardise its human resources processes for about 23,000 users. Under a single platform, this standardisation sets SingHealth on a good foundation for future technology innovations. Ms Anna Fok, group human resources director at SingHealth said the consolidation and optimisation of HR applications and infrastructure further positions SingHealth well for growth and service demands in the future.

The Business Times - pg 30

SingHealth hospitals, Singapore General Hospital and Changi General Hospital, reported an increase in the number of reported verbal and physical abuse cases since 2008. The climbing figures point at a rise in patients' expectations amid an increase in patient load, resulting in "service gaps" which sometimes keep patients waiting longer. Read about how our staff are prepared to manage aggression and violence at the workplace.

The Straits Times - p B4

SingHealth Group Procurement Office (GPO) will be extending its expertise in procurement and relieve 30 nursing homes from the burden of sourcing for the best value products, so that they can focus on providing quality care for their residents. These nursing homes will benefit from cost savings for the purchase of basic necessities such as milk feeds and diapers.  This initiative is a two-year partnership between the nursing homes, the Agency for Integrated Care, and SingHealth GPO.

The Straits Times - pg B9
The Business Times - pg 18
Lianhe Zaobao - pg 17

Elderly patients are prone to falls and injury from such accidents may complicate or worsen their medical condition. Always on the lookout for ways to improve the well-being of our patients, nurses at SingHealth institutions have come up with a slew of measures in recent years to reduce the risks of patient falls.  

Lianhe Zaobao - pg 9

SingHealth and Fujian Provincial Health Bureau collaborate to equip healthcare professionals in China to enhance the primary healthcare system in Fujian. The primary care 'training-of-trainers' programme is underwritten by a grant of approximately S$660,000 from Temasek Foundation.  It aims to certify 110 healthcare professionals who will in turn train up to 5,500 healthcare professionals working in primary healthcare centres that benefit 35 million people across Fujian.  

Lianhe Zaobao - pg 15

Patients with heart failure can now receive quicker help through findings from a Clinical Practice Improvement Programme (CPIP) project done by National Heart Centre Singapore. This is part of SingHealth's CPIP to enhance clinical service and quality for patients. By reassembling the extracorporeal life support that helps to resuscitate patients suffering from heart attacks, the time taken to reach patients with heart failure has been reduced by 50 per cent.  

Lianhe Zaobao - pg 6