Tan Tock Seng Hospital

𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞, 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮? Calm music, soothing scents, a loving touch - we first introduced Namaste Care in our dementia care wards in 2015, with nurses delivering the multisensory intervention to patients. In the years since, we've taught the concept and process to allied health colleagues, doctors, volunteers, and caregivers both within our hospital and in partner organisations. The initiative has also expanded to include cognitive and social engagement activities, tailored to the patients' own history and preferences. The time spent has paid off - patients both with and without dementia are calmer and more receptive to routine nursing care, and our teams and caregivers feel more connected to the patients they care for. Dr Noorhazlina Bte Ali, Senior Consultant at TTSH's Department for Geriatric Medicine, explains that the care also keeps going, "We do Namaste Care on a regular basis in the ward, and many caregivers continue that same timing and routine when patients go home, giving them a sense of comfort, knowing what to expect." It's our way of bringing more mindful, personalised care to the people we serve, building health for generations, #TodayForTomorrow.

Our Patient Service Associates (PSA) are pivotal in the service delivery of our patients. But aside from mastering their administrative roles, they want to do more. For the past decade, through our PSA Framework Job Design & Career Development Workgroup, our PSAs have been equipped with the tools and support required to upskill themselves and transform their roles to include patient-centric medical skills. What started as an institution-led journey ten years ago has now been expanded nationally. Read the article to learn more about how we the framework can benefit our service frontliners.

It is never too late to take the leap of faith and follow your heart. This is what Operating Theatre Technician Tay Lye Huat did when he turned 50. His switch from the manufacturing industry to healthcare was a drastic one, yet not unfamiliar since he was a medic during National Service, and is also a proud dad of a nurse. Despite the change of work location and scope, Lye Huat still puts some of his old trade practice into good use; he makes sure there are no loose or missing bolts and nuts in his workplace. Safety always comes first to Lye Huat, including ensuring the theatre is always well equipped with the right tools before any surgery. Hear from Lye Huat on how he made an inspiring shift into healthcare to become an Operating Theatre Technician. If you are keen to know more about being an Operating Theatre Technician or Patient Service Associate, we are partnering @e2i at an upcoming SkillsFuture Festival 2024 roadshow (https://lnkd.in/gMEQSicG) on 18 July 2024 at Northpoint City. Be part of TTSH to make a difference to our patients’ lives.

Our heartiest congratulations to TTSH’s 15 recipients of this year’s Nurses’ Merit Awards by the Ministry of Health (Singapore). Each of them has been invaluable in providing the best possible care for our patients, and has been an exemplary role model to their peers. We are proud of your achievements, and may you continue to inspire us all! Here’s the full list of our 15 recipients. Click through the photos to learn more about them. -        Ms Abaya Amy Rebleza, Nurse Manager, Emergency Medicine -        Ms Ana Du Guillena, Nurse Clinician, Ward 13A -        Ms Benita Bangar, Nurse Manager, Ward 5A -        Ms Chua Jia Xian, Assistant Nurse Clinician, Clinic B2B -        Ms Huang Zhiyan, Assistant Nurse Clinician, Clinic 4B -        Ms Joey Yeo, Nurse Clinician, Community Health -        Ms Lee Feei Shyan, Assistant Nurse Clinician, Renal Centre -        Ms Lim Hsiao Sim, Nurse Clinician, Advanced & Procedural Care -        Ms Lim Shi Ling, Nurse Clinician, Nursing Service -        Mr Maran S/O Pakkirisami, Nurse Manager, Ward 9G -        Mr Mohammad Hasri Bin Kamsani, Nurse Clinician, Ward 5C -        Ms Nio Bee Hong, Nurse Clinician, Ward 7D -        Ms Tan Wei Qi, Assistant Nurse Clinician, Ward 5E, National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) -        Ms Teng Ngwen Hua, Senior Enrolled Nurse, Ward 5C -        Ms Wong Mei Fong Florence, Nurse Clinician, Operating Theatre Congratulations to our fellow nurses from the National Healthcare Group Family as well 💙

Bringing Flavours of Home To Patients. As we celebrate our 180th Founder's Day this month, we kicked off this milestone celebration with our first-ever staff culinary competition - Generations of Flavours: Nourish to Flourish. Staff competed to have their dish featured as a signature on the patient menu. Out of over 30 recipes received, 5 outstanding ones made it to the final cook-off. These dishes, inspired by family food heritage, aim to bring hearty and healthy dishes to our patients. Mentored by our chefs and dietitians, participants created nutritious and appetising meals, ensuring patients can eat well and recover better. This innovative one-dish meal is different from our typical patient menu, which usually includes separate servings of vegetables, protein and carbohydrates. A big congrats to Senior Cook Tan Kah Thai, who won first place with his "Ah Ma's Rice." This dish is a comforting spin on his mom's glutinous rice dumpling recipe, impressing the judges with its flavour and simplicity. Kah Thai wanted to share the flavours of home with elderly patients who can't eat rice dumplings yet missing this festive food. We can't wait for the winning dish to be included in our patient menu! Read more on ZaoBao: https://lnkd.in/gziM9FJg #TTSH180 #Make180Count #HealthForGenerations

Diabetes increases one's chances of having heart problems and stroke. That is because diabetes causes a mild type of inflammation in the body which can lead to heart disease. With the ultimate goal of reducing the cardiovascular risks for patients with Type 2 diabetes, TTSH’s project lead Associate Professor Rinkoo Dalan (Senior Consultant from the Department of Endocrinology) and team are embarking on a 3-year randomised controlled trial to study the potential impact of low-cost Colchicine, an anti-inflammatory drug, that may inhibit the progression of plaque buildup in the artery walls that lead to heart diseases. If proven to be successful, treatments can start earlier to help prevent or delay heart problems. Our heartiest gratitude to Tanoto Foundation Medical Research Fund for funding this research. The Medical Research Fund was launched to support researches that will look into a range of medical issues and disease prevalence in Singapore. Read more about the research on: - CNA Singapore Tonight: https://lnkd.in/g7sfkf6v - The Straits Times: https://lnkd.in/gjzPdKVb

Hello! 你好! Привет! 안녕하세요! A simple greeting brings smiles and builds meaningful relationships. Almost a year ago, a group of students from St. Joseph's Institution (SJI) International began their volunteering journey with us at the TTSH Integrated Care Hub. They transformed their passion project into a school CCA, called the Attollo Project. Now, with over 30 students, they dedicated their after-school hours engaging our patients through games, conversations, and physical activities - supporting patients' rehabilitation, boosting their moods, and enhancing their well-being, especially for those who have stayed in the hospital for a long time. Despite speaking different languages, this doesn't stop the students from striking up a conversation with our patients and knowing each other. Working closely with our Allied Health teams, these students help to run four rehab programmes - Adaptive Sports, Elder Fiesta, Vista Fiesta, and Horticulture Therapy (ICH Blossoms). The SJI International students are the youngest group of volunteers in the hospital, aged between 15 and 18, these enthusiastic youths are always keen to do more for our patients and learn about healthcare. Volunteering in TTSH gives them a glimpse of what healthcare all about, some aspire to be healthcare workers in the future while some just want to do good with their friends. This also gives the hospital an opportunity to work with the younger generation and nurture them to be part of this care community to build a better #TodayForTomorrow. Witness the incredible journey of how these students bring joy and support to our patients Special thanks to the SJI International student volunteers from the 'Attollo Project' for sharing this video. If their stories resonate with you, we welcome you to join us: for.sg/ttsh-volunteers. #HealthForGenerations #TTSH180 #IamATTSHVolunteer #Volunteerism #MakingADifference

We are happy to receive the Best Practice Medal (Care Redesign) in the 2024 National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity (NHIP) Medals for the 'Advanced Practice Physiotherapists in TTSH Emergency Department'. Launched in 2022, this pioneering program has trained physiotherapists to independently manage acute musculoskeletal conditions, reducing wait times by 75% and throughput times by 28%. From June 2022 to December 2023, 463 patients have benefited from this innovative care model. Congratulations to the team for this remarkable achievement! Read more about the ED APP initiative here: https://lnkd.in/gf7BZQu8 #HealthcareInnovation #TTSHeartbeats #nhip2024 The National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity (HIP) Medals is organised by CHI - Centre for Healthcare Innovation and supported by the Ministry of Health.

The healthcare sector constantly delivers innovations to help our population attain its full potential for health, but is also known to be a major contributor to carbon emissions. From extreme heat, to the spread of infectious diseases, climate change can undermine the foundations of good health in Singapore and across the world. Our hospital has many green initiatives that we've shared over the past weeks, and our sustainability story continues with Chee Wee Low (Deputy Director, Operations – Pharmacy). Chee Wee participated in the healthcare sector’s first sustainability training course of its kind – ‘Leadership Masterclass: Towards Net Zero Healthcare in Singapore’ – a pioneering initiative by the CHI - Centre for Healthcare Innovation's newly launched Sustainability Academy and supported by the Workforce Singapore's Career Conversion Programme. Upon completion of the programme, Chee Wee will help champion TTSH’s sustainability efforts alongside our teams. As an institution that seeks to deliver health for generations, we are committed to the health profession’s response to climate change. Proud of you, Chee Wee, for leading and inspiring all of us. Read more on the CHI Sustainability Academy: https://lnkd.in/gYPUjkbf #TTSHGoGreen 💚

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 Breast cancer affects women more than we think - making up about 30% of all cancers affecting women in Singapore. It is important that all our care providers, from both acute hospitals and our general practitioners (GPs), are kept up to date with the most latest trends and developments in breast care – which is always evolving with the time. Over the weekend, our multi-disciplinary breast care team alongside National Healthcare Group Polyclinics, conducted their first workshop titled 'BREAST 101: Managing Common Breast Conditions and Understanding Breast Cancer' with about 20 GPs. Our specialists shared on the breast screening and updated referral framework, challenges faced by breast cancer survivors, and how to support them during their cancer survivorship journey. “Healthier SG has facilitated better cooperation and coordination between primary and specialist healthcare. I see this course as the first initiative in communication with mutual learning for both - to provide better treatment for our patients. I look forward to more exciting future collaborations in improving the breast health of our population,” shared Dr Juliana Chen, Senior Consultant, Breast and Endocrine Surgery (TTSH). In our fight against breast cancer, this is a significant step forward – together with our GPs.