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SingHealth Milestones over the Years

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To commemorate SingHealth's 20-year anniversary in 2020, we have compiled a list of milestones within the SingHealth family. Click on the drop-down items below to view our major accomplishments in each year.

SingHealth HQ

SingHealth is established and is presently Singapore’s largest healthcare group, with over 40 clinical specialties and a network of acute hospitals, national specialty centres, polyclinics and community hospitals.
 
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The Group Procurement Office (GPO) is set up to centrally purchase drugs, supplies, equipment and IT services for SingHealth institutions. ALPS would later be launched in 2018, bringing together healthcare supply chain professionals from all three public healthcare clusters to meet the procurement and supply chain needs of Singapore’s healthcare system.
  • The SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre (AMC) is formed, harnessing the collective strengths of SingHealth’s clinical expertise and Duke-NUS’ medical education and research capabilities to drive the transformation of healthcare and provide affordable, accessible and quality care to patients.
 
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  • Singapore Cord Blood Bank (SCBB) is established with a commitment to save lives through serving the needs of patients and the community with cord blood banking.

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SingHealth’s Delivering on Target (DOT) Programme, which right-sites patients with stable chronic conditions from specialist clinics to partner general practitioners (GPs), is extended as a national programme for patients of chronic diseases.
 
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  • The SingHealth Residency Programme is established with the aim of nurturing the future generation of medical professionals, equipping them with the necessary skills and a strong sense of ethics and compassion.


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  • Duke-NUS Medical School is officially opened after its first student intake in 2007, offering medical training programmes for post-graduates in Singapore.

  • SingHealth sets up the Centralised Institutional Review Board (CIRB), SingHealth Tissue Repository and SingHealth Investigational Medicine Unit, firmly establishing its commitment to quality clinical research.

  • SingHealth Academy is launched with a commitment to high quality clinical training and education to nurture a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals and leaders.

  • SingHealth launches HealthXchange, an interactive health and lifestyle resource portal dedicated to providing comprehensive, relevant and trusted health and medical information for the public.

  • SingHealth partners the Singapore Management University (SMU) to launch the inaugural Graduate Diploma in Healthcare Management & Leadership Programme for public sector clinicians, nurses, allied health professionals and hospital administrators.

  • The SingHealth Humanitarian Relief Programme (SHRP) is launched to provide opportunities for SingHealth staff volunteers to give medical aid to people and countries in need.

  • Singapore Health, the flagship publication of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, is launched.
  • SingHealth’s HealthBuddy launches, allowing patients to access health information and services, such as appointment management, anytime on the go.
  • The SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Clinical Programmes (ACP) are formed. The ACP framework harnesses the expertise of each discipline across SingHealth and Duke-NUS for greater synergy in clinical care, education and research. By 2020, 15 ACPs have been formed.
  • SingHealth partners with A*STAR on a new research programme, POLARIS, to pilot the application of clinical genomics in the treatment and diagnosis of medical diseases in Singapore and the region.

  • The Academic Medicine Research Institute (AMRI) is established to provide administrative and scientific technical support to the research community in the AMC.

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  • The Academic Medicine Education Institute (AM•EI) is established to support the educational activities of the ACPs.

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  • The Academia building is opened, consisting of SGH’s Pathology laboratories as well as the Ngee Ann Kongsi Discovery Tower which houses SingHealth’s research laboratories, education and training facilities. The building offers a conducive environment for greater synergies in pathology, medical research and education to raise the benchmarks for better healthcare.

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  • The SingHealth Duke-NUS Disease Centres (SDDCs) are formed. These are strategic models of care which enables teams from different disciplines and institutions to work closely to provide care for patients with specific conditions. With SDDCs, the patient’s journey is streamlined, cutting down the number of visits and saving time and money. By 2020, 12 SDDCs have been formed.
         

  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalise the AMC partnership between SingHealth and Duke-NUS Medical School is signed.
The SingHealth Office of Regional Health (SORH) is set up to enable our population to keep well, get well and age well in their communities and homes. To achieve this, the Office works closely with community partners to identify population health needs, promote behavioural changes and develop sustainable programmes to improve quality of life. It also leverages health services research to understand healthcare utilisation patterns and facilitate appropriate interventions across the care continuum.
  • SingHealth launches Admissions Buddy, an online financial counselling service for patients, and PILBOX, a service that lets patients or their caregivers collect repeat prescription refills from automated secure lockers outside the polyclinics at any time.

 

  • SingHealth Fund is established. Initially set up as SingHealth Foundation in 2002, the Fund brings all SingHealth institutions’ health funds under one umbrella for enhanced governance and greater transparency.

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  • To boost training of healthcare professionals, five colleges* and a medical simulation institute under SingHealth Academy are launched.

    *College of Clinical Medicine, College of Clinical Nursing, College of Allied Health, College of Clinical Dentistry, College of Healthcare Administration and Leadership

  • SingHealth Academy introduces the Interprofessional Education and Interprofessional Collaboration and Practice (IPCP) programmes. The events and workshops aim to bring together the expertise of various healthcare professions to formulate effective and comprehensive care plans.
The SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (SDGHI) is launched to address current and emerging health challenges across ASEAN member states and in other Asian countries. Today, SDGHI works closely with faculty from across all ACPs on various programmes and collaborations.
 
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Singapore General Hospital

  • A multidisciplinary team from SGH, NHCS and NCCS performs Singapore’s first lung transplant.     
  • SGH performs the world's first procedure of forearm attachment to shoulder blade.
  • A team from SGH and NDCS performed the world's first modified jaw advancement technique for obstructive sleep apnoea in Asians.
  • SGH successfully separates a pair of Nepalese twins joined at the head in a historical 97-hour long craniopagus surgery.

  • SGH performs the world's first cord blood transplant in a patient with Thalassaemia Major.
A team from Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) performs the world’s first modified jaw advancement technique for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Asians.
 
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SGH is accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI), a recognised world leader in health care quality and patient safety
  • The SingHealth Alice Lee Institute of Advanced Nursing is the first in Asia to be accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Continuing Nursing Education Provider.

  • SGH launches the Postgraduate Allied Health Institute (PGAHI), Singapore's first postgraduate institute aimed at providing more focused and synergistic development programmes for the advancement and training of allied health professionals.
SGH opens Khoo Teck Puat-NNI Integrated Neuroscience Centre, the world’s first neuro-science facility with the Novalis system that uses non-invasive radiotherapy/radiosurgery to shrink or control tumour growth.
  • SGH’s Bowyer Block, built in 1926 and located at the heart of the SGH campus, is gazetted a national monument. With its iconic clock tower, it continues to stand as a reminder of the improvement of medical facilities in Singapore.

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  • SGH and National Heart Centre Singapore jointly perform Asia's first combined heart-and-liver transplant.
  • SGH opens its isolation ward with 51 beds, dedicated to communicable diseases such as tuberculosis like as well as emerging epidemic diseases like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Ebola.

  • The World Health Organisation endorses SGH as one of four Global Hand Hygiene Expert Centres, held as an exemplary role model for other hospitals and healthcare institutions.
SGH is the first hospital in SingHealth to complete implementation of IT modules for clinicians to order tests and prescription, medication management and nurse charting, a major step towards a paperless system.
  • SGH develops and implements the world’s first Automated RFID Pharmacy Dispensing System in its outpatient pharmacy, enhancing efficiency and safety in prescription filling. The system wins the CIO Asia and SiTF Best Public Sector Product Gold award.

  • SGH introduces physiotherapy in the Emergency Department, to provide care for patients who can benefit from early physiotherapy intervention.
  • The Academia building is opened, consisting of SGH’s Pathology laboratories as well as the Ngee Ann Kongsi Discovery Tower which houses SingHealth’s research laboratories, education and training facilities. The building offers a conducive environment for greater synergies in pathology, medical research and education to raise the benchmarks for better healthcare.          
  • The nursing role of Patient Navigator is introduced. These nurses specialise in discharge planning and care coordination, ensuring that patients transit seamlessly from hospital to care in the community or at home.

  • The School of Nursing and Sisters’ Quarters at SGH Campus are demolished to make way for the Outram Community Hospital. The buildings were landmarks representing SGH’s contribution in training generations of nurses for the nation.
  • Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong unveils a Masterplan to re-develop the SGH Campus over the next 20 years to boost capacity and accessibility to meet the healthcare needs of Singapore.

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  • SGH becomes the first hospital in the Asia Pacific to achieve accreditation by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists for its National Pharmacy Infectious Diseases Specialty Residency programme.
Community Nursing Posts in the south-eastern and eastern regions of Singapore, led by nurses from SGH and CGH, are set up to anchor population health and facilitate the shift of care from hospitals to the community. This new model enables the elderly with multiple chronic diseases to receive care closer to their homes.
 
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  • SGH pharmacist A/Prof Andrea Kwa becomes the first non-physician healthcare professional to win the National Medical Research Council Clinician Scientist Award, reflecting the depth and breadth of research expertise in SGH.

  • SGH develops an app for inpatients to access their care plan, test results or ask for assistance during their stay with the hospital. The initiative received a Recognition of Excellence award in 2020 by OpenGov Asia for innovative and disruptive use of technology in the healthcare sector.
  • SGH is ranked the third best hospital in the world by Newsweek magazine for its clinical research and outstanding nursing care.

  • SGH unveils its upgraded Burn Centre which is equipped with custom-built Operating Theatres, High-Dependency and Isolation Rooms.
The ground breaking ceremony for the Elective Care Centre (ECC) and NDCS Building is held. The new building will feature new facilities in elective surgical and dental care to meet growing healthcare needs.
 
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Changi General Hospital

CGH launches new clinical services in Sports Medicine, Dermatology, Psychological Medicine, Rheumatology and Neurosurgery.
  • CGH launches its online pharmacy, www.mypharmacy.com.sg to provide 24/7 access for the purchase of homecare and retail medical supplies.

  • CGH opens a one-stop Diabetes Centre with related services housed under one roof for greater patient privacy and greater convenience.
The Singapore Sport & Exercise Medicine Centre @ Changi General Hospital (CGH), the largest multidisciplinary sports centre in Singapore, is established. Equipped with the latest technologies and a gym, the centre caters to recreational and competitive athletes from a wide range of sports.
 
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CGH opens a new Geriatric Centre that houses both the Specialist Clinics and the Geriatric Day Hospital, offering the convenience of a one-stop service for elderly patients.
CGH launches the Community Health Ambassador Programme for Seniors (CHAMPS) with the Ministry of Community Youth and Sports to empower active elderly volunteers with basic healthcare skills.
CGH launches myhealth.sg, Singapore’s first online weight management programme to empower individuals to manage their health and fitness needs online anytime, anywhere.
CGH acquires the Singapore Sports Medicine Centre on 1 November 2010 as it envisioned the growth of sports medicine in Singapore and wanted to continue to play a leading role to develop this discipline.
CGH becomes a founding member of the Eastern Health Alliance, a regional health system to provide seamless, quality care for eastern Singapore. The first Eastern Health Alliance Scientific Meeting was also held where two programmes, Transitional Care and Grace Corner, were launched.
CGH opens the Centre for Innovation, a platform for healthcare technology translation and the Changi Simulation Institute, an integrated simulation training centre that enables healthcare professionals to train safely and efficiently through realistic training scenarios across a wide range of clinical situations.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong officially opens the NCCS Oncology Clinic @ CGH, the first satellite clinic by the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS). The clinic provides oncologic consultations and outpatient chemotherapy for CGH patients with breast and gastrointestinal cancers.
CGH launches GPFirst to encourage residents in the east to visit their General Practitioners first for mild to moderate conditions.
The Integrated Building (IB), jointly run by CGH and St. Andrew’s Community Hospital (SACH) is opened, providing a new model of care to optimise rehabilitation for patients.
 
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CGH and the Singapore National Eye Centre launched the SNEC Eye Clinic @ CGH to deliver more specialised eye care services, particularly for age-related eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, corneal diseases, and retina-related conditions like diabetic retinopathy.
CGH launches the Health Peers Programme in partnership with community stakeholders and government agencies.
  • CGH joins the SingHealth Duke-NUS AMC family as part of the nation’s reorganisation of the public healthcare system into three integrated clusters, to better meet Singaporeans’ future healthcare needs.

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  • CGH’s new Medical Centre is opened, enhancing specialist care by providing care to patients with complex medical conditions in a more integrated way.
CGH sets up the Changi Aviation Medicine Centre (CAMC), Singapore’s first aviation medicine centre within a government restructured hospital, offering customised care for pilots, cabin crew and air traffic control staff.

Sengkang General Hospital

Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, officiates the Groundbreaking Ceremony of Sengkang General and Community Hospitals on 27 October 2013. A mini carnival was held in conjunction with the groundbreaking ceremony to involve community partners and healthcare organisations as well as residents in the regional hospital’s development journey.
SKH launches its brand identity and came together to share its vision of ‘Healthy Living. Fulfilling Life’, mission of ‘Better Health Together’, and how to achieve this through holistic, informed, and reassuring care in partnership with the community.
SKH takes over the management of Alexandra Hospital to build the team in readiness for the completion of the new hospital campus.
Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) and Sengkang Community Hospital (SKCH) celebrates its soft opening with a Community Health Day themed “Healthier Community, Healthier Me” on 11 August 2018. Officiated by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, Sengkang General Hospital opened progressively from 18 August 2018, and Sengkang Community Hospital (SKCH) from 28 August 2018. Residents were invited to participate in healthy living activities and had an insider tour of the new SKH Campus to view the facilities and learn more about what goes on behind-the-scenes in delivering better care and experience for patients.
The integrated hospital campus housing Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) and Sengkang Community Hospital (SKCH) is opened to serve the population in the north-east region of Singapore.

KK Women's and Children's Hospital

  • KKH is awarded the Family Friendly Firm Award by Singapore's Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS). This is for the many work‐life initiatives put in place over the years to help staff achieve a balance between work and personal commitments.

  • KKH achieved the coveted People Developer award conferred by SPRING Singapore, in recognition of the hospital's investment in a comprehensive system for developing staff and to bring out the best in them.
The KK Gynaecological Cancer Centre in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) is the sole collaborator from Asia in a vaccine trial for human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that causes cervical cancer. This trial would later result in the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine in 2006.
The old Kandang Kerbau Hospital, birthplace of over 1.2 million Singaporeans, is gazetted a historic site by the National Heritage Board in recognition of the hospital's contribution to the provision of obstetrical and gynaecological care in Singapore since 1858.
 
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The KK Alumni was established to encourage networking among former and present KKH staff. This is to generate ideas and initiatives in the areas of continuing medical education, training, technology and outreach to the community.
  • KKH achieved the Singapore Quality Class Award conferred by SPRING Singapore to selected organisations, which have demonstrated commitment to business excellence, measured in the following dimensions – Leadership, Planning, Information, People, Process, Customers and Results.

  • KKH achieved the prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation on 9 December 2005.
  • KKH is the first hospital in Southeast Asia accredited to treat uterine fibroids using noninvasive treatment guided by the latest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

  • The KK Breast Centre is the first in the world to use the FDA‐approved computed radiography technology for mammography combined with computer‐aided detection. This detects cancers at the earliest stage, when cure is highly probable.
KKH performs the first open heart microsurgery on premature infants in South‐east Asia.
  • KKH celebrates its 150th anniversary.

  • KKH signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Medical Systems Division of GE Pacific Pte Ltd (GEHC) to train more overseas fellows under the hospital's Obstetric Ultrasound Teaching and Training Programme.
  • KKH is the first in Asia Pacific to use the next generation digital mammography system, MammoDiagnost DR.

  • KKH doctors are among the first in the world to perform emergency surgery for removal of cornual ectopic pregnancy through single port laparoscopy.

  • The KKH Sleep Disorders Centre became the first sleep service in Asia to be accredited by the Thoraic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) and the Australasian Sleep Association (ASA) in managing sleep disorders in children.
KKH opens the KK Hospital Simulation Centre to enhance its medical training capabilities.
  • KKH is the first public hospital in Singapore to perform radical abdominal trachelectomy for young women with early‐stage cervical cancer.

  • A 3Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (3T MRI) machine is provided to KKH as part of collaboration with A*STAR, making the hospital the first dedicated imaging facility in Singapore for research and clinical work for women and children.
  • South‐east Asia’s largest Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) opens at KKH. The newly expanded NICU features advanced technologies that complement care for vulnerable newborn babies – many of whom are born premature, and can weigh as little as 435 grams at birth.

  • KKH develops the world’s first Double Intravenous Vasopressor Automated (DIVA) System to better manage blood pressure and heart rate in women undergoing caesarean section while under spinal anaesthesia.
  • KKH and Temasek Foundation partner to pilot the Kids in Tough Situations (KITS) programme to provide community-based therapy to children experiencing trauma-related emotional and psychological difficulties. Other Temasek Foundation partnerships include the ‘Stay Prepared – Trauma Network for Children’ in 2016 and the pilot launch of Singapore’s first Donor Human Milk Bank programme in 2017.

  • KKH partners the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) − a joint medical school by Nanyang Technological University and Imperial College London − to design the curriculum for the paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology disciplines for the school’s undergraduate medical programme.
  • KKH launches Singapore’s first Fetal Surgery Suite, a one‐stop facility dedicated to providing complex fetal treatments and surgeries including surgery for the treatment of Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) – a rare syndrome which only occurs in identical twins who share the same placenta.

  • KKH develops the world’s first robotic bottled medication dispensing system and automated almost 100% of its medication dispensing system at Emergency Pharmacy.
KKH and Temasek Foundation launch the ‘Stay Prepared – Trauma Network for Children’, Singapore’s first network to bring psychosocial support and care for children affected by trauma.
  • KKH launches Singapore’s first and only donor human milk bank programme to provide safe and pasteurised donated human breast milk for premature and sick babies.

  • KKH leads the Temasek Foundation‐Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Care pilot programme to improve the detection, care and postnatal support for women who have diabetes during pregnancy.
KKH leads in the development of Singapore’s first national clinical guidelines for the management of neonatal jaundice with the aim of providing a unified and standardised treatment approach to enhance the quality of care for newborn babies.
KKH established Singapore’s only one‐stop paediatric orthotic centre dedicated to providing a full range of orthotic services for children with lower limb and spine conditions requiring assistive devices.
KKH, SHP and Temasek Foundation launch Singapore’s first Integrated Maternal and Child Wellness Hub to support the health and well-being of mothers and young children in the community.
 
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National Cancer Centre Singapore

  • The National Cancer Centre Singapore, a national centre for cancer care, is officially opened under SingHealth.
  • A multidisciplinary team from SGH, NHCS and NCCS performs Singapore’s first lung transplant.     
NCCS establishes the Department of Psychosocial Oncology to offer assistance to patients and their loved ones who are dealing with the practical, emotional and psychological demands of the cancer journey.
NCCS' Division of Radiation Oncology introduces Singapore’s first Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment.
NCCS plays a key role in the national crisis management of SARS. Prof Soo Khee Chee, Director of NCCS, receives the Public Administration Medal (Gold) at National Day Awards in recognition of his contributions to the nation.
NCCS pioneers Photodynamic Diagnosis and Treatment (PDT), a new technique that uses florescence diagnosis and drug-induced light therapy to diagnose and treat cancer.
NCCS signs a landmark agreement with eight national cancer centres, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to embark on cancer prevention advocacy, cancer research, training and collaboration.
 
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  • NCCS acquires a 64-slice Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) to enable early detection and treatment of cancers.

  • NCCS establishes the Health Professional and Undergraduates (HPU) Education Unit to provide training opportunities for medical students to learn from veteran medical staff and clinicians.
  • NCCS establishes the Geriatric Oncology Programme.

  • NCCS establishes the Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research (HOICR). The institute comprises three research divisions: Cellular and Molecular Research, Medical Sciences, and Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Sciences.
  • NCCS introduces Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT), a new technique that enhances cancer control with fewer side effects.

  • NCCS partners Four Seasons Hotel and The Regent Singapore for the inaugural launch of the annual Run for Hope to raise funds for cancer research.
  • NCCS receives accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI). NCCS is the only national cancer centre in the region to be recognised.

  • NCCS embarks on a Service Quality Excellence Programme.
  • NCCS begins offering treatment for peritoneal and pelvic cancers.

  • NCCS' Department of Surgical Oncology introduces the Breast Cancer Survivorship Programme, which enables survivors to receive comprehensive disease surveillance assistance from Advanced Practitioner Nurses (APNs).
  • NCCS announces plans to offer Southeast Asia's first proton therapy treatments to patients in 2021.

  • NCCS introduces the region's first Intraoperative Radiotherapy (IORT) for breast cancer patients.
  • NCCS launches the NCCS Oncology Clinic @ CGH to bring cancer treatment closer to patients living in the eastern region of Singapore.

  • NCCS develops the Real-time Ambulatory Patient Information Deployment Enabler (RAPIDE) system to reduce waiting time for patients. The project wins two bronze awards at the Hong Kong RFID Awards for “Best RFID Implementation” and “Most Innovative Use of RFID”.
NCCS signs the Goyang Declaration in Seoul to push for a Tobacco-Free Generation (TFG) in Asia.
  • NCCS wins the Singapore Service Excellence Medallion Award, the first healthcare institution in Singapore to receive this award.

  • NCCS launches Singapore’s first cancer education bus with Ain Society to create cancer awareness in the community.
  • Founding Director, Prof Soo Khee Chee retires and hands over the reins to Prof William Hwang Ying Khee, who is appointed the Medical Director of NCCS.

  • A ground-breaking ceremony is held for the new NCCS building and comprehensive proton therapy centre, named the Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre. NCCS received a $50 million donation from the Goh Foundation to establish this centre, which will provide a new form of radiation therapy that targets cancer cells precisely and minimises damage to healthy tissues.
  • NCCS Oncology @ SKH is launched to bring cancer treatment closer to patients living in the north-east of Singapore.

  • Prof Patrick Tan and Prof Teh Bin Tean, together with the Duke-NUS Medical School, Genome Institute of Singapore and collaborators from Japan, Taiwan and Thailand win the Team Science Award from the American Association for Cancer Research – the first team outside the USA to win the award.
  • NCCS and the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) sign a partnership agreement to provide holistic and seamless cancer support and intensify upstream prevention methods to reduce cancer incidence with a dedicated Cancer Genetics Service Screening Programme.

  • The first component of the proton therapy gantry arrives for installation at the site of the new NCCS building.

National Dental Centre Singapore

  • NDCS joins the SingHealth family, the largest public healthcare cluster in Singapore.
  • A team from SGH and NDCS performed the world's first modified jaw advancement technique for obstructive sleep apnoea in Asians.
NDCS and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) jointly launch Dental Assisting and Dental Technology training programmes.
  • NDCS introduces multidisciplinary team-based care to enhance patient care and convenience.

  • NDCS and SNEC jointly perform the first Osteo-Odonto Keratoprosthesis (OOKP) “Tooth-in-Eye” surgery in Southeast Asia to restore sight.
In partnership with Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP)'s Diploma in Dental Hygiene & Therapy, the Oral Health Therapist training programme is launched.
NDCS receives the Excellent Service Award (EXSA), a national award for outstanding patient services.
  • The NDCS Tooth Fairy Fund is established in conjunction with the Centre’s tenth anniversary celebrations to support dental care for needy patients. The fund continues to support patients who fall between the cracks and do not qualify for Medifund support based on criteria or type of treatment.

  • NDCS becomes the leader in Continuing Professional Education (CPE) for oral healthcare.
  • NDCS launches Singapore's first 3D imaging and printing technology for diagnosis and treatment planning.

  • NDCS establishes the Academic Centre for Oral Healthcare Research (ACORN) to synergise education and research programmes and activities.
NDCS is the first dental specialty centre in Southeast Asia to achieve the JCI international accreditation.
NDCS establishes the Electronic Dental Records (EDR) system for better patient care and coordination in clinics.
  • NDCS receives the National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Centre grant of S$3 million.
  • NDCS' Paediatric Dentistry Unit launches the preventive risk-based Infant Oral Health Programme to significantly reduce the prevalence of dental caries among infants. It also works closely with People’s Association’s (PA) Embracing Parenthood movement to raise awareness about good oral hygiene practices.
NDCS signs an MOU with NTU in a million-dollar dentistry research partnership to translate bioengineering innovations into dental applications.
NDCS launches the Geriatric Special Care Dentistry Clinic. It is an age-friendly clinic to serve the needs of the elderly who are functionally dependent with geriatric conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The clinic also serves special needs patients and those with pre-existing medical conditions requiring dental clearance before or after medical treatment or surgery.
NDCS signs an MOU with NUS' Faculty of Dentistry to deliver the Master of Dental Surgery residency training programmes in Endodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontology, Prosthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry.
  • NDCS signs an MOU with Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) for clinical care load balancing and rationalising of dental services and resources at the national level.

  • NDCS signs an MOU with CGH to set up the satellite NDCS Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic @ CGH. The clinic serves tertiary oral healthcare needs in the eastern part of Singapore and is staffed by specialist consultants from NDCS.
The National Dental Research Institute Singapore (NDRIS) is established by NDCS and SingHealth Duke-NUS AMC.
The ground breaking ceremony for the Elective Care Centre (ECC) and NDCS building is held. The new building will feature new facilities in elective surgical and dental care to meet growing healthcare needs.

National Heart Centre Singapore

  • NHCS and Singapore Polytechnic jointly offer Asia's first Diploma in Biomedical Sciences (Cardiac Technology).
  • NHCS, SGH and NCCS perform Singapore's first lung transplant.
  • NHCS establishes Singapore's first Mechanical Heart Device Programme.

  • NHCS performs Southeast Asia's first Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation.
NHCS establishes Singapore's first heart failure programme.
  • NHCS and Singapore Polytechnic jointly offer Asia's first Specialist Diploma in Cardiac Technology.

  • NHCS establishes the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Programme (ACHD).
NHCS successfully performs Singapore's first local inter-hospital transfer of a patient on an Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenator (ECMO).
  • NHCS is the first heart hospital outside of the USA and in Asia to be accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI).

  • A team from NHCS performs the first robotic-assisted excision of a mediastinal tumour on an 18-year-old male patient using the da Vinci surgical system.
  • NHCS successfully performs Asia's first pulmonary vein isolation (or Maze procedure) using the Epicor Cardiac Ablation System.

  • NHCS establishes the Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (RAMICS) Programme.
NHCS establishes Singapore's first National Cardiovascular Homograft Bank (NCHB) to create a safe, reliable and affordable local supply of cryopreserved heart valves and tracheal homografts in Singapore.
  • NHCS introduces the first robotic hybrid operating theatre (OT) in Southeast Asia.

  • NHCS and SGH jointly perform Asia's first combined heart and liver transplant.
  • NHCS successfully performs Southeast Asia's first robotic-assisted lobectomy.

  • EuroPCR, the official annual meeting of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI), and SingLIVE, a live interventional course in the Asia Pacific region, partner to launch the inaugural AsiaPCR-SingLIVE. This event was organised by NHCS.
  • NHCS' Research & Development Unit successfully creates beating heart cells from a patient's skin.

  • NHCS introduces Asia's first Aquaphereis medical technology system to treat fluid overload in heart failure patients.
NHCS performs the first successful transapical transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve implantation in Asia.
The NHCS research team is first in the world to reverse the effects of a gene mutation in Type 2 Long QT Syndrome in patient-specific heart cells.
  • NHCS' new building at 5 Hospital Drive is officially opened with increased capacity and dedicated facilities to allow for training of healthcare professionals and research in cardiac care.

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  • The National Heart Research Institute Singapore (NHRIS) is established by NHCS and the Duke-NUS Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Signature Research Programme, with the aim of transforming cardiovascular outcomes through patient-centred research.
  • NHCS jointly launches the world's first global diabetes registry with the American College of Cardiology to generate data and identify treatment gaps to result in better care and outcomes for patients. This significant collaboration aims to help manage the prevalence of diabetes in Singapore, which is higher than the world’s average.
  • NHCS officially opens the SAF Cardiac Fitness Centre.
  • NHCS and Imperial College London develop a cardiac gene sequencing panel to test 174 genes in 17 inherited cardiac conditions.

  • NHCS officially launches its Women's Heart Clinic.
  • NHCS pioneers front-loading for tests and open access protocols with SHP.

  • Researchers from NHCS, Duke-NUS Medical School and other international research teams make a breakthrough discovery of interleukin 11 (IL11), a critical protein that causes fibrotic diseases and organ damage. This discovery has allowed the team to explore the development of a therapeutic target and potentially offer hope to patients with end-stage heart and kidney failure.
NHCS and SKH collaborate to set up NHCS Cardiology @ SKH, providing cardiac services and expertise at its outpatient clinic and dedicated wards for residents in the north-east.

National Neuroscience Institute

NNI sets up a Neuroscience Research Laboratory at NNI @ Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH).
NNI integrates neuroscience services with SGH.
NNI receives Southeast Asia's first three Telsa MRI scanners, which allow for more detailed scans.
NNI joins the SingHealth family.
NNI sets up the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Centre.
  • NNI offers Singapore's first 24-hour MRI service for acute stroke patients.

  • NNI is designated an international Centre of Excellence in Parkinson's Disease (PD) by the Parkinson’s Foundation (USA).
NNI launches the Community Care Partners Programme – Singapore’s first PD outreach programme.
NNI and TTSH establish the 1st combined NNI-TTSH Spine Service.
NNI celebrates its 10th Anniversary.
NNI introduces tele-services for timely assessment of stroke patients.
NNI sets up the first Advanced Practice Nurse Neuroscience Clinic to reduce first-visit wait time to see a specialist for PD.
NNI and SHP launch the NNI-SHP Cognitive Assessment and Rehabilitation (CARe) clinic for early screening and diagnosis of dementia in the community.
  • The National Neuroscience Research Institute Singapore (NNRIS) is established to synergise expertise from NNI and Duke-NUS Medical School to develop research programmes, integrate resources and new research facilities.

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  • Dr Ng Wai May, Deputy Director, Nursing receives NNI's first President's Award for Nurses.
  • NNI is designated by the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) as an international training centre for young neurosurgeons.
NNI launches the NNI-Alzheimer’s Disease Association Esteem Programme for young onset dementia patients.
  • NNI establishes the Center of Excellence for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) to improve survival and quality of life in people with PD.

  • NNI develops the world’s first human mid-brain organoid to better understand PD.
  • NNI holds its first Brain Awareness community roadshow.

  • NNI and NTU establish the NTU-NNI Neurotech Fellowship for Neurosurgery residents to develop innovative technologies to better diagnose and treat patients with neurological conditions.
  • NNI’s first President's Science Awards are presented to Prof Tan Eng King, Deputy Medical Director (Academic Affairs) and Senior Consultant, Department of Neurology and Assoc Prof Louis Tan, Senior Consultant, Department of Neurology for their outstanding contributions in furthering the understanding and management of PD through identifying clinical biomarkers, developing novel models and therapeutics.

  • NNI Senior Nurse Clinician Li Wei receives the President’s Award for Nurses.
  • NNI launches the Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice Programme to provide better team-based care.

  • Brain Bank Singapore is established by NNI, the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) and the National Healthcare Group (NHG) to improve research on Asian brain diseases.

  • NNI celebrates its 20th Anniversary.

Singapore National Eye Centre

SNEC holds its first annual National Eye Care Day with eye screening.
Phase 2 of SNEC’s extension project is completed with the construction of a $50 million, eight-storey building comprising two floors of outpatient clinics, five operating theatres, and two floors of SERI’s research clinics and laboratories, among other facilities.
SNEC receives the Excellence for Singapore Award for clinical and research breakthroughs such as conjunctival stem cell transplantation.
Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) and NDCS jointly perform the first Osteo-Odonto Keratoprosthesis (OOKP) “Tooth-in-Eye” surgery in Southeast Asia to restore sight.
SNEC doctors become the first in the world to establish a strong link between a blinding fungal infection and a contact lens solution, leading to a worldwide recall of the product and halting the epidemic. The team receive the inaugural Minister for Health Award in recognition of this discovery.
 
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SNEC, together with Moorfields Eye Hospital (UK) and Rotterdam Eye Hospital (the Netherlands), jointly found the World Association of Eye Hospitals.
SERI is awarded a $25 million translational clinical research flagship grant for the Translational Research Innovations in Ocular Surgery (TRIOS) programme, a five-year programme focusing on two major causes of global blindness: corneal disease and glaucoma.
Professors Donald Tan, Roger Beuerman and Aung Tin from SNEC and the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) are the pioneer recipients of the inaugural President’s Science Award for their innovative breakthroughs in ‘bench-to-bedside’ medical research in blinding corneal diseases and glaucoma, leading to major advancements in scientific knowledge and the treatment of these diseases.
SNEC introduces its first-in-Asia Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) advanced technique for corneal transplantation, which makes it possible for patients to attain 100% vision within a few weeks of surgery.
  • SERI partners Tan Tock Seng Hospital to introduce the Singapore Integrated Diabetic Retinopathy Programme (SiDRP), a national diabetic retinopathy screening programme at polyclinics.

  • SNEC partners Duke-NUS to launch the Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme (ACP), to provide a cluster-wide framework for ophthalmologists to access resources and funding to advance in academic medicine.
SNEC starts a dedicated Myopia Clinic to provide atropine treatment to children aged 6 to 12.
  • The $5 million Arthur Lim Professorship in Ophthalmology is set up by SNEC and Duke-NUS. Professor Donald Tan is named the first Arthur Lim Professor in Ophthalmology.

  • Professor Donald Tan, Professor Aung Tin and Professor Saw Seang Mei from SNEC are named in the list of the world’s top 100 ophthalmologists in the UK-based journal, The Ophthalmologist. Professor Wong Tien Yin is named the world’s most prolific author on diabetic macular edema.
SNEC celebrates 25 years of service to the nation.
SNEC launches the Mobile Eye Bus, which offers eye screening services to those who are unable to go to clinics.
The Lee Foundation makes a gift of $2.5 million to SNEC to establish the Myopia Centre of Excellence (MyCE). The Centre will focus on three key areas: finding new ways to prevent and control myopia progression in children, understanding the complications myopia can pose over time in children and adults and raising the awareness of myopia as well as its management through proper public education.
  • SELENA, the world’s first fundus imaging analysis artificial intelligence (AI) system to detect eye conditions, is developed by SNEC-Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI), National University Singapore (NUS) and NovaHealth. The revolutionary system is expected to detect three major eye diseases with greater efficiency and accuracy than existing tests with manpower and cost savings.

  • A new system at SNEC’s Glaucoma Observation Clinic cuts the average waiting time that low-risk glaucoma patients spend in the clinic from more than 2 hours to just 1 hour, by allowing patients who test negative for glaucoma or have stable glaucoma to get their test results by phone instead of seeing a doctor.

SingHealth Community Hospitals

SingHealth Community Hospitals (SCH) is set up to manage Bright Vision Hospital (BVH), Sengkang Community Hospital (SKCH) and Outram Community Hospital (OCH), allowing for the cross sharing of best practices and strengthening of collaborations.
  • SKCH opens to receive its first patient. Co-located with SKH, it serves residents in the northeast who require rehabilitation or sub-acute care.

  • SCH partners the National Heritage Board to introduce Reminiscence Therapy, led by the Medical Social Services team at SKCH. The programme aims to improve the mood, cognition and wellbeing of older patients through events and activities that evoke nostalgia and memories.
  • OCH’s first ward is opened and all three community hospitals under SCH are operational.

  • SCH emerges a finalist under the International Award category of the inaugural Social Prescribing Awards by the Social Prescribing Network, the College of Medicine and the University of Westminster. SCH has embarked on social prescribing efforts to improve the overall well-being of patients by focusing on their interests and linking them to sources of support within the community, including General Practitioners and social service providers.

SingHealth Polyclinics

SHP sets up its Family Physician Clinic to better manage patients with multiple and complex chronic conditions and ensure continuity of care.
SHP starts its Education & Research department to advance clinical education and research.
The Nurse Clinician Service (NCS) is introduced in the Outram and Pasir Ris Polyclinics, as part of the SHP’s plan to reorganise care provision for chronic diseases. The service is later expanded to the rest of the clinics in 2009, allowing nurses to have an expanded role in co-managing patient care with the doctors. Patients see the trained NCS nurses between their medical reviews with their doctors.
  • Electronic documentation on SingHealth’s Sunrise Clinical Manager (SCM) system is implemented at SHP’s polyclinics.

  • Telecare (TLC) services, first piloted in Geylang Polyclinic (then under SHP) in 2010, is subsequently implemented across the other polyclinics in 2012. This extends SHP’s care delivery beyond face-to-face interactions within the clinic to remote care provided by trained nurses.
  • The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Service is launched as part of the SHP Care Transformation (SCT) project to reorganise care provision and upskill registered nurses to perform at the top of their licence. The APN is an integral member of the Integrated Care Team (ICT) and plays an active role in team-based care to co-manage our patients with the doctors.

  • SHP received JCI Accreditation for Primary Care Centres for its outstanding safety and quality of patient care.
Physiotherapy services are first implemented at Tampines Polyclinic in 2013. The service is subsequently expanded to Geylang Polyclinic in 2014, Bedok and Punggol Polyclinics in 2017, and Bukit Merah Polyclinic in 2018.
SHP launches PILBOX, a service that allows caregivers to collect prescription refills at their convenience, without having to queue at the pharmacy.
  • SHP launches the Family Medicine Academic Clinical Programme (FM ACP), bringing together Family Physicians across SHP, SGH, CGH, SKH, KKH and SCH to advance Family Medicine as an academic discipline in Singapore.

  • SHP launches MyHealth Kiosk, the first automated health monitoring machine in Singapore. It allows patients to perform health measurements (such as BP) on their own before they see the doctor.
SHP introduces a Smart Appointment Booking System for patients to manage their own appointments at SHP’s Service Selection Kiosks and electronic and mobile platforms.
  • SHP’s FM ACP signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Malaya (UM) and the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) to allow sharing of expertise and resources among the Family Medicine professionals in the three institutions.

  • SingHealth Polyclinics (SHP) launches SG-Verify at Punggol Polyclinic, which pulls accurate data from MyInfo into SHP’s registration systems to allow for seamless verification. Patients who visit the polyclinic for the first time can register using SG-verify without having to fill up forms. This service was rolled out to the rest of the polyclinics the following year.

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