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Singapore, 13 December 2007 - Over 28,000 staff at the local healthcare clusters, National Healthcare Group (NHG) and Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), who have good work performance and are in good health, can look forward to the opportunity to be reemployed in the same job or a different job, when they reach the age of 62. The institution of re-employment policy by both clusters is well ahead of the deadline of Jan 2012 when the law is expected to be passed.
Healthcare is the first sector that embraces ADVANTAGE! - a scheme by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), offering grant up to $400,000 per company to help them implement re-employment policy, and recruit, retain and re-employ mature workers. Currently, about 40% of their staff strength is above 40 years old and more than 700 workers will reach the retirement age of 62 within the next five years. These are the workers who would be offered the option of re-employment before their retirement.
“I am glad that the National Healthcare Group (NHG) and Singapore Health Services (SingHealth) are making this move, ahead of the introduction of re-employment legislation by 2012,” said Mr Ong Ye Kung, Chief Executive, WDA. “Adapting early would give them the advantage of putting in place systems and processes in their recruitment practices, performance management framework, succession plans as well as adjustments to the physical working environment to accommodate the growing numbers of mature workers in their organisations.”
Re-employment is not new to the healthcare sector. Currently, about 2% of the staff in the two healthcare clusters are above 62. “The healthcare sector has the potential to provide lifelong careers, as age brings experience and expertise that are not easily replaceable. In SingHealth, we value our mature staff, who bring valuable experience and wisdom, and are inspiring role models for younger staff. We consciously adjust our employment practices so that we can optimise on the experience of our mature staff, while at the same time help them find fulfilment as they continue working,” said Professor Tan Ser Kiat, Group Chief Executive Officer, SingHealth.
"As our population ages, the demand for healthcare services is growing fast. Singaporeans are also asking for better healthcare services. But as there is a worldwide shortage of healthcare workers, we need to find new solutions to build up our manpower pool. So mature workers are an asset which we should definitely retain,” said Dr Lim Suet Wun, CEO, NHG.
Besides re-employment, there are plans to do more for the older workers to make their work or workplace more conducive. For example, Alexandra Hospital has launched a Workplace Health Promotion Programme to enhance their employability through better health and lifestyle management. The programme serves to empower mature workers with the skills, knowledge and attitude to take charge of their health and lifestyle practices. In addition, they will receive individual Health Assessments and go through Health Intervention Programmes specially designed to help them manage their health and lifestyle practices. Upon graduation from the programme, the mature employees will also receive a personalised Health Report Card. The programme is targeting 500 workers aged 40 years old and above in Alexandra Hospital. Currently there are about 25 mature workers 55 years old and above who have pioneered the programme. “This programme has motivated me to be more conscious of my health and lifestyle. I have even started to form a brisk walking club with fellow mature colleagues to promote healthy lifestyle for mature workers in the hospital,” said Madam Low Ngor Koon, a Project Specialist, who is one of the first participants of the programme.
Similarly, SingHealth launched the Silver Connection movement last September to engage its mature staff with a view to enhance their employability as they grow with the organisation. It is believed to be the first such initiative in the healthcare industry. Its multi-pronged approach includes conducting Personal Effectiveness Workshops on setting personal goals as well as Financial Planning Talks on preparing for financial independence beyond retirement. So far, 30 runs of the workshops and 10 runs of the talk benefited about 570 and 630 mature staff respectively. In addition, retired healthcare professionals like nurses and midwives have been employed for various short and long-term projects like patient surveys and a postnatal homecare initiative to help new mothers cope with their newborns. SingHealth institutions have also looked into automation and investing in equipment to make the jobs of mature staff less physically demanding and strenuous, which will in turn enhance patient safety and care. Among other examples, magnifying glasses are purchased for wards and outpatient clinics for easier reading of medicine labels, and hoists are installed to help lift patients from their beds to trolleys. To enable mature staff to continue to contribute productively, SingHealth has also introduced advanced skills and developmental training programmes for Patient Care and Health Care Assistants, usually in their 40s and 50s, to equip them with more in-depth knowledge and skills to take on expanded roles and responsibilities at work. For example, trained Patient Care Assistants can now perform Electrocardiogram tests for patients, even at night when needed, a task that was usually done by doctors and nurses in the past.
For further information, please contact:
Carolyn Fong
Executive, Corporate Communications
National Healthcare Group
DID : 64966264
Email : carolyn_pf_fong@nhg.com.sg
Ong Shao Ying
Corporate Communications
Singapore Health Services
DID : 65574913
Email : ong.shao.ying@singhealth.com.sg
Joyce Chua
Senior Manager, Corporate & Marketing Communications Division
Singapore Workforce Development Agency
DID : 65121243
Email : Joyce_Chua@wda.gov.sg
About National Healthcare Group (NHG)
NHG is a leader in public healthcare in Singapore, recognised at home and abroad for the quality of its medical expertise and facilities. Care is provided through an integrated network of primary healthcare polyclinics, acute care hospitals, national specialty centres, innovative virtual specialty centres and business divisions. Together, they bring a rich legacy of 325 years of medical expertise to our philosophy of patient-centric care. We aim to provide care that is patient-centric, accessible, seamless, comprehensive, appropriate and cost-effective. Our vision is “Adding years of healthy life”.
Members of the National Healthcare Group (NHG):
Hospitals:
Alexandra Hospital, National University Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the Institute of Mental Health / Woodbridge Hospital;
The Johns Hopkins Singapore International Medical Centre; National Skin Centre;
NHG Polyclinics:
The NHGP chain of nine polyclinics – Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Clementi, Hougang, Jurong, Toa Payoh, Woodlands, Yishun;
Specialty Institutes:
The Cancer Institute, The Eye Institute and The Heart Institute; and
Business Divisions:
NHG College, NHG Diagnostics, NHG Pharmacy, Jurong Medical Centre, Care Management Centres, and Singapore Footcare Centre.
For more information, please visit http://www.nhg.com.sg
About Singapore Health Services (SingHealth)
SingHealth is the largest healthcare group in Singapore, offering a complete range of multi-disciplinary and integrated medical care. The group consists of 3 Hospitals, 5 National Specialty Centres, and a network of 9 polyclinics. We have a faculty of internationally qualified medical specialists and are also well equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment medical technology. We are dedicated to providing quality healthcare that is affordable and accessible to our patients. Through clinical excellence, commitment, and collaboration, we aim to be the trusted leader in healthcare for our patients, partners, staff and the community.
Members of the SingHealth group:
Hospitals:
Changi General Hospital, KK Women's and Children's Hospital and Singapore General Hospital
National Specialty Centres:
National Cancer Centre Singapore, National Dental Centre, National Heart Centre Singapore, National Neuroscience Institute, and Singapore National Eye Centre
SingHealth Polyclinics:
Bedok, Bukit Merah, Geylang, Marine Parade, Outram, Pasir Ris, Queenstown, Sengkang and Tampines
For more information, please visit http://www.singhealth.com.sg
About Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA)
WDA seeks to enhance the employability and competitiveness of our workforce to meet the changing needs of Singapore’s economy. Working with industry, unions, employers, economic agencies, professional associations and training organisations, the agency’s efforts are targeted at supporting industry growth by building a pipeline of workers through training and skills upgrading, and raising industry standards through enhancing manpower capabilities.
For more information, please visit http://www.wda.gov.sg
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