29 September 2007
SingHealth benefits from older workforce (The Straits Times, 29 September 2007) 
- About seven in 10 of its employees continue to work after retirement

By Judith Tan
 
MENTION the term 'health care' to older workers and the reaction is normally one of concern, but to those at the SingHealth group it represents a golden opportunity.
About seven in 10 employees of the hospital and polyclinic cluster continue to work after retirement, higher than the national average of 63 per cent among men and 26 per cent among women aged 60 to 64 who return to work.

And considering that the sector is short of manpower, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan believes the future looks anything but grey for older workers looking to stay active.

He said: 'As an industry that is information-based and experience-sharing, it is in the position to create more opportunities for retirees.'

SingHealth, through its Silver Connection Programme, has also successfully matched over 20 per cent of its 250 returning retirees, some of whom had been out of the job market for some time, to projects and part-time jobs in the past year.

Among them are nurses, allied health-care workers and administrators. Launched last year, Silver Connection is a programme run by mature workers for their peers. It provides retraining, pre-retirement planning and referral services to create new roles suitable for older workers or returning retirees.

Applauding the success of the programme at its first anniversary celebrations yesterday, Mr Khaw said: 'We hope to extend this to other institutions and industries.'

One group of retired health-care workers on the programme now provides post-natal care to new mothers. Mr Khaw suggested they could also be roped in to care for patients who return home after surgery.

Mrs Karen Koh, deputy chief executive officer of SingHealth, said the programme has helped to create a multi-generational workforce within the group.

'As an employer, we have to maintain an environment where diversity thrives. With the different age groups working together, we have to ensure communication lines are open,' she said.

She said the health-care group is making headway ahead of the Government's plan to make sure companies offer employees a chance beyond the retirement age of 62. The new law kicks in in 2012.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Mr Khaw said the way to ensure a healthy old age was to lead active and happy lives. He had recently visited Ogimi village in Okinawa, Japan and Jeju Island in South Korea - both renowned for the longevity of their residents - and found such lifestyles were a common factor for 'healthy longevity'.

'As our population ages, I would rather see healthy 80-somethings still being useful members within the community - walking around Orchard Road rather than lying in beds at nursing homes,' he added.

One retiree living up to this credo is Madam Alice Lim, who is happy to return to work at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

The 71-year-old attendant, who helps move patients around, is the oldest mature contract worker in the cluster.

Madam Lim, a widow, said: 'I like helping people. The income I get from my job also allows me to have a bit of savings and pocket money to spend.'