Yishun Community Hospital

Wishing all frontline workers a Happy Labour Day! 🥳

🎉 Selamat Hari Raya! 🌙✨ Wishing all our Muslim friends a joyous celebration filled with blessings, happiness and love. May your homes be filled with warmth and your hearts with peace on this special day ❤️

Our heartiest congratulations to the 11 Year 2 recipients who were awarded the annual Yishun Health "Yes I Can!" Healthcare Award! 👏 The award which aims to recognise students who demonstrated significant improvements in their studies were presented by Chief Nurse Ms Shirley Heng and Assistant Director of Nursing Ms Yvonne Yap at a book prize ceremony at ITE College East recently.

Speaking at the event, Chief Nurse spoke openly about the pivotal moments in nursing careers where self-doubt may arise, and encouraged aspiring nurses to forge ahead with determination and purpose 💪

At Yishun Health, we strongly believe in nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals. Come uncover the different ways in which Yishun Health offers support to nursing students with our sponsorship programmes at the links below:

KTPH: https://www.ktph.com.sg/about-us/join-us/scholarships-and-sponsorships
YCH: https://www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg/join-us/scholarships-sponsorship

Do you still keep a broken item that you cannot bear to throw away? 😓

Send us a picture 📸 of the item and tell your story. You will be paired with a local designer who will restore your object in a creative, perhaps surprising, way.

Your object and the journey of repair will be exhibited at Singapore Design Week 2024, and will be returned to you after the event.

📩 Send in your entry by 22 March 2024 through this link: https://for.sg/repair2024

This design project is jointly organised by Yishun Health & Hans Tan Studio

For queries, contact us at [email protected]

📢 From 1 March 2024, we will step down the mask-wearing requirements at lower-risk healthcare and residential care settings.

😷 Mask-wearing will:

✅ No longer be compulsory for patients, visitors, and staff in outpatient settings.
✅ Continue to be required in inpatient wards, emergency departments, and residential care facilities.

🔗 For more info, visit go.gov.sg/integrating-covid-19

Take in the picturesque view along Marina Bay at the World Obesity Day Walk 2024 on 3 March, and stop by the NHG booth to enjoy an array of activities suitable for all ages 😎

From free health screenings to panel discussions and skits featuring NHG experts, there's plenty to learn about obesity and its management!

➡️ Invite your family and friends along. To register, visit: https://worldobesitywalk.esgwellness.com/

Keen to learn more about obesity and its management? Join us on 3 March for a scenic walk around Marina Bay, and stop by the NHG booth to enjoy activities for all ages! Other exciting programmes include panel discussions and skits featuring our NHG experts. Additionally, stand a chance to win a goodie bag filled with $50 worth of healthy items and vouchers!

For registration and more details, please visit https://worldobesitywalk.esgwellness.com/.

𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗶𝘀𝗵𝘂𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵

Jonathan Koh stood behind the pharmacy counter at Yishun Community Hospital (YCH), donning his surgical mask with a warm smile in his eyes. Patiently, he explained each prescribed medication to his patients, making sure they understood the importance of each pill and its role in their recovery.

At 32 years old, Jonathan has been serving as an inpatient pharmacist at YCH for nearly seven years, primarily caring for patients in the hospice palliative care and stroke rehabilitation wards. In his role, he meticulously reviews medications prescribed to patients to ensure that they are “taking the best medications for their medical conditions, as guided by the latest clinical guidelines”.

Jonathan’s journey into pharmacy wasn’t initially a clear path. While he had originally aspired to study medicine, fate led him to pharmacy – a decision he grew to appreciate deeply. “I’m thankful that life has a way of opening the right doors to lead me to where I am today,” he confesses. For Jonathan, pharmacy was not just a profession; it was a calling rooted in his desire to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.

Despite the challenges that he faces at work, Jonathan approaches each obstacle with empathy and creativity. Citing the self-administration of medication (SAM) programme where supervised patients are responsible for administering their own medication as if they were at home as an example, Jonathan has found that for some patients, their difficulty with adhering to medications is not only due to a knowledge deficit. Patients who had suffered a stroke may find it challenging to open medication blisters with their hands. For others, it may be their beliefs and attitudes towards medication taking that influences their behaviours. “We often try to think of various ways to help our patients by using pillboxes and handphone reminders. Good rapport with patients also goes a long way in nudging them towards taking their medications,” he says.

One memorable patient, in particular, left a lasting impression on Jonathan. Diagnosed with end-stage lung disease, the patient relied heavily on his inhaler to expand his lungs to bring relief to his breathlessness. “However, he was using it excessively that his hands would shake, and his heart rate would increase,” he recalls. “We knew he had to reduce the frequency of use but taking the device away from him would make the situation worse as it would increase his anxiety and worsen his breathlessness.” Eventually, through collaborative efforts with the nurses as well as rapport building and shared decision making with the patient, Jonathan was able to guide the patient towards safer usage while maintaining his comfort.

Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys bouldering and recently completed a master’s in counselling. “It may seem like a departure from my daily work, but this is a personal passion mine and I’ll be looking to volunteer at a counselling centre later this year,” he shares. It is also Jonathan’s hope that the additional expertise not only enriches his interactions with patients, but also equips him to address more complex issues like smoking cessation and medication adherence.

More than 800 million people in the world are currently living with obesity, and this number is set to keep increasing over the years.

Watch National Healthcare Group (NHG)'s series of informative videos to learn about the different aspects of obesity management and complete a quiz to win exclusive goodie bags!

➡️ Join the quiz here: https://form.gov.sg/65b0c70b2932150012256c8e

World Obesity Day is observed annually on 4 March.

More than 800 million people in the world are currently living with obesity, and this figure is set to increase over the years. From the first week of February, we will be releasing a series of obesity management videos, which will cover a wide range of topics – including strategies to enjoy food while staying healthy, ways to optimise your diet while dining out, tips on improving your exercise regimen, weight loss medications, and surgical and endoscopic procedures for weight loss.

Whether you are taking your first steps in weight management, actively losing weight, or encountering challenges in your weight loss journey, this series will provide you with valuable insights. Additionally, participate in the online quiz to win exclusive prizes!

𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗶𝘀𝗵𝘂𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵

At the age of 19 when most of us might still be unsure about what the future holds, Tan Ai Li, an Assistant Nurse Clinician at Yishun Community Hospital, had already known that she was going to become a nurse, a meaningful role that would allow her to contribute to the community. This prompted her to pursue a Diploma in nursing at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. After learning about her career choice, she was met with much skepticism from her family members, who questioned her ability to carry out such a “dirty” and physically demanding job. Despite their doubts, Ai Li remained determined to fulfil her calling, and has since been working actively as a nurse for the last 17 years.

Describing herself as having “a natural connection and affinity with the older folks”, Ai Li went on to pursue an Advanced Diploma in Gerontology and started off her career as an inpatient nurse tending to elderly patients in one of the geriatric wards at KTPH. It was only after accumulating years of experience as an inpatient nurse that she decided it was time to upskill and learn something new. She then underwent ‘specialist’ training for wound care certification and is now part of the wound care team at Yishun Community Hospital (YCH).

A member of the wound care team at YCH, Ai Li’s role is to assess, treat and manage patients who have complicated wounds that may have occurred due to accidents or surgical procedures. This involves making regular rounds through the YCH wards to check on patients’ progress, working together with the medical team to manage their treatment and educating patients and their loved ones on how to monitor and manage their wounds. The best part about her work, Ai Li shares, is interacting with patients and ensuring that they are on the right track to recovery. “Every day, I look forward to seeing our patients and checking the status of their wounds. Even though it may be uncomfortable for most people, it’s really satisfying for us to see a horrible wound progress slowly to become better and eventually completely healed,” she laughs.

Even though the work may be strenuous and draining at times, Ai Li shares that her motivation to continue being a nurse stems from the “little moments shared with her patients”. One such moment she can recall was when she received an envelope from an elderly male patient in his 70s, who was already discharged from the hospital. When she opened the envelope, there was no letter, only two photos of the patient - one of his wound which had completely healed, and another of himself smiling into the camera. “I think it was his way of telling me that he has recovered and is doing well now. I still display his photos at my desk as a reminder to keep working hard for my patients,” she says.

Apart from her duties as a nurse, Ai Li also spends a lot of time baking – a hobby she picked up more than 10 years ago. Since then, she has been actively honing her skills through watching baking videos and attending baking classes. For the upcoming Lunar New Year, she had also put in effort to bake a few batches of delicious cookies to share with the nursing team at YCH. On why she enjoys baking, Ai Li shares that it’s a form of ‘therapy’. “Baking helps me to slow down and clear my mind, which is very different from nursing which requires me to work fast and make quick decisions. It’s also a way for me to show love to my family, friends, and colleagues, by feeding them sweet treats!”

Explore what it means to live well and leave well at an upcoming community event this March. Unpack the taboos of death, end-of-life conversations and choices through an exhibition of artworks, programmes, talks, and conversations with and tours by senior collaborators.

Happening from 9 - 20 March 2024 at the Wellness Kampung @ 765 Nee Soon Central (Yishun Street 72).

📍Mon-Fri, 10am - 6pm
📍Sat & Sun, 10am - 8pm

Making a mid-career transition can be a daunting prospect. But it can also lead one to pursue more fulfilling opportunities.

At the age of 30, Nurse Manager Faith Tan felt something was amiss. The satisfaction she once derived from work was waning. With a newfound desire to search for life’s meaning and purpose, Faith took a brave leap of faith and left the private sector where she had worked for several years, acquiring skills and experiences in different industries such as logistics, supply chain management, shipping, and telecommunications.

She threw herself into an unfamiliar industry and accepted a role at a caregiver support centre where she dedicated herself to caring for others, especially the less fortunate. Then, Faith moved to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital after receiving a sponsorship offer to complete the Accelerated Diploma programme through Workforce Singapore to become a qualified nurse.

Today, the 50-year-old has 20 years of nursing experience under her belt, and currently works at Yishun Community Hospital where she helps patients prepare for life at home.

Read on to follow Faith’s incredible journey.

From corporate to compassion: Why this S’porean switched jobs to become a nurse At the age of 30, this Singaporean found her life's purpose by venturing into the healthcare industry.

📣 Attention residents in North Singapore 📣

With the new NHG Cares app, you can:

1️⃣ Access digital tools to manage your health and store your health information
2️⃣ Find additional information and services to better navigate your care journey
3️⃣ Explore the Health Kampung and participate in health and social programmes of your choice
4️⃣ Enjoy exclusive dining and retail benefits to support your healthier lifestyle

Start your journey to a healthier you and download the NHG Cares app today!

that the NHG Cares membership is automatically available to residents in Central and North Singapore, once they enrol in Healthier SG with NHG Polyclinics or an NHG GP Partner? As a member, you get to enjoy merchant discounts, gain access to NHG Cares Telehealth services and community activities & programmes through the NHG Cares app. Complete the health questionnaire on the app to receive a $10 NHG Pharmacy e-voucher.

Hurry! Download the NHG Cares app from Google Play or App Store today! A valid email address is required for you to receive the $10 e-voucher upon completing the health questionnaire.

The NHG Nursing Open House is happening tomorrow at the Centre for Healthcare Innovation! If you want to know what a career in nursing might look like, this is your chance to speak to our nurses and HR team.

It's still not too late to register your interest! Simply submit your details at this link ➡️ https://form.gov.sg/655eef83c00da900113b455b.

💭 Ever wondered about the different sustainability efforts led by the various institutions at NHG? This post is for you.

If you are keen to be part of similar sustainability initiatives and the community, you may do so by submitting your applications by 1 Mar 2024.

Visit their page for more details!

The NHG Nursing Open House is happening this weekend for one day only. Have you signed up yet?

➡️ Limited spots available. Register your interest today: https://form.gov.sg/655eef83c00da900113b455b

We’re down to 🔟 days until NHG’s Nursing Open House! Come join us next Saturday, 13 January to mingle with our nurses and HR colleagues and discover what it’s like to be part of the NHG family!

Secure your spot today by registering your interest here: https://form.gov.sg/655eef83c00da900113b455b.

See you there!

We are delighted to welcome Mr Joe Sim, new Group CEO, to the NHG family! With a wealth of experience in healthcare management, we look forward to embarking on this exciting journey together.

NHG warmly welcomes Mr Joe Sim as our new Group CEO with effect from 1 January 2024. We look forward to his leadership and counsel in our continued journey to strengthen care delivery and drive population health to build healthier, happier communities in Central and North Singapore.



Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
Yishun Community Hospital
Woodlands Health
Institute of Mental Health Singapore
National Healthcare Group Polyclinics
National Skin Centre
National Centre for Infectious Diseases

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous Christmas from all of us at Yishun Health! ✨🎄

Join us to get a glimpse into the world of compassion and care. Explore the possibilities of becoming a nurse at the NHG Nursing Open House. Your journey in making a difference starts here!

To register, visit: https://form.gov.sg/655eef83c00da900113b455b

Our healthcare workers are here to care for you. Let’s treat them with respect. Say no to abuse or harassment of healthcare workers 🙅‍♂️

Read about the Tripartite Framework for the Prevention of Abuse and Harassment in Healthcare here: go.gov.sg/moh-tripartite-framework

Healthcare workers need better protection from abuse; new measures in place by June: Ong Ye Kung A survey found that three in four healthcare workers did not report incidents, enduring abuse in silence. Read more at straitstimes.com.

What does it mean to have ✨ optimism ✨ at the end of life?

In the fourth episode of Singapore Hospice Council’s “Live Well, Leave Well” podcast, Yishun Health’s Deputy Head and Principal Dietitian Chan Sue Mei shared what it means to keep a positive outlook in the face of adversity, and how one’s relationship with food can contribute to that. 🍜🍛

Listen to the episode here: https://omny.fm/shows/live-well-leave-well-podcast/ep4-optimism

SHC LIVE WELL. LEAVE WELL. PODCAST

In our 4th episode, we explore the value of Optimism at the end-of-life.

What does it mean to have optimism at the end-of-life? Perhaps it is a life well lived before leaving, one in which the difficult moments can be met head-on, that a patient can have control over their perspective. Perhaps it is about writing their life story, autonomy to live one’s last days as they choose, and overcoming the hopelessness that can be associated with death.

Listen to this episode to hear what our guests have to say on keeping a positive outlook in the face of adversity: singaporehospice.org.sg/podcast and on all major podcast platforms.

Guests:
Suhaimi - Cancer Patient
Noraya - Ex-caregiver to her husband
Chan Sue Mei - Principal Dietitian, Deputy Head, Department of Nutrition & Dietetics Yishun Health and Manager, Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Yishun Community Hospital.

Special thanks to Singapore Cancer Society, Tzu-Chi Foundation SG 慈济基金会, and Yishun Community Hospital .

New episodes are available every second Friday of the month, stay tuned!

Our website is back online.

We thank our patients and members of the public for their patience and understanding.

Congratulations to all our NHG Quality Day 2023 winners! 👏

Organised annually by NHG Group Quality, this event celebrates quality and service excellence within the cluster.

This year, Yishun Health clinched a total of 12 awards in four categories — NHG Excellence in Action Award (Individual), NHG Excellence in Action Award (Team), NHG Quality Improvement Award as well as a new award category, the NHG Good Catch Award.

Nurse Managers Fauziah Binte Abdul Aziz and Koi Poh Leng aren’t just colleagues, they’re best buddies 🫶. Known as the “wise night owls” of Yishun Community Hospital, they are responsible for overseeing operations within the inpatient wards and maintaining quality patient care through the night.

With a friendship that dates back more than a decade ago, both Fauziah and Poh Leng are cat lovers and enjoy spending time together on their off days.

Read their story below! ⬇️

Eleven Year 2 students from the Institute of Technical Education were presented with Yishun Health’s “Yes I Can!” Healthcare Award recently! 🏆

This award seeks to recognise the dedication and efforts of students who have demonstrated improvements in their academics.

Congratulations to all winners! 👏 You’ve shown us that you’re ready for the possibilities that lie ahead in your nursing education and eventual professional career.

At Yishun Health, we strongly believe in nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals. To uncover the different ways Yishun Health offers support to nursing students with our scholarship programmes offered by Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Yishun Community Hospital, visit the links below:

KTPH: https://www.ktph.com.sg/about-us/join-us/scholarships-and-sponsorships

YCH: https://lwww.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg/join-us/scholarships-sponsorship