Physiotherapists help cut waiting time at TTSH emergency department

Since January, the physiotherapy team at National University Hospital has had same-day consultations on weekdays for patients referred by the Emergency Department, as part of the National One-Rehab Framework. Dr Ng Tze Siong, Senior Principal Physiotherapist, Department of Rehabilitation, National University Hospital, elaborated on the patients who are suitable for the same-day consultation.

In Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, a care management scheme was started in August 2020 for frail, elderly people who frequently visit its Emergency Department. Ms Lee Chiew Lan, Head, Department of Physiotherapy, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, explained that under this scheme, case managers intervene with all at-risk elderly people, and patients of any age who are functionally and socially challenged.

Golden support system

​ST featured Dr Ang Chen Xiang, Resident at KTP-NUCMI, NUH, who recently won a gold medal in the 110m hurdles at the SEA Games. Dr Ang highlighted and thanked his colleagues for the strong support given during his training.

Iron Man and Pokemon Go hold clues to the next leap in the Internet

The ​Straits Times highlighted the use of augmented reality (AR) technology in surgical procedures and that National University Hospital surgeons have used the 5G-enabled Microsoft HoloLens 2, to assist with more than 50 heart, brain, spinal cord and liver surgical procedures to date, a first in South-east Asia. By August 2023, National University Hospital plans to double the number of HoloLens 2 deployed to 50 sets, and avail their use to all surgeons. Dr Gao Yujia, Assistant Group Chief Technology Officer, National University Health System, said the AR glasses allow surgeons to better visualise patients’ organs, tissues and surgical complications with the help of computer-generated information.

晨光|晨光聚焦：居家病房计划 减缓医疗资源短缺 (Mobile Inpatient Care @ Home to alleviate the shortage of medical resources)

​MOHT launched a sandbox trial of the Mobile Inpatient Care @ Home (MIC@Home) programme, which involves NUH, SGH and KTPH. MIC@Home operates by creating a home ward setting, enabling patients to receive emergency treatment, remote monitoring, and consultation services from the comfort of their homes. With an anticipated increase in the number of individuals receiving home treatment or home rehabilitation services, the demand for related equipment and services is expected to rise.

Maternity hospitals in Singapore: A comprehensive guide for new parents

​The Asian Parent featured a list of maternity hospitals, which includes NUH. The report mentioned that NUH was Singapore's first hospital certified under the WHO Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.

Watch out for impact of social media on developing brains of the young

​In response to a new advisory by the US Surgeon-General on the use of social media and mental health, Dr Chong Shang Chee, Head, Child Development Unit, KTP-NUCMI, NUH, said that it is important to exercise caution and common sense when using screens and to use the advisory as a starting point for discussing the potential dangers of social media with young people, even as research or evidence is evolving. The report noted that Dr Chong is also an adjunct associate professor at NUS Medicine and a member of the Child and Maternal Health and Well-being Taskforce under MOH.

• The Straits Times Online, Watch out for perils of social media on youngsters and their developing brains

爸爸昏迷7年后离世 林慧玲发文悼念 (Rebecca Lim mourns father who passed away after seven years in a coma)

​Local artiste Rebecca Lim shared that her late father had slipped into a coma following two major strokes seven years ago. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the medical staff at NUH and the caregivers at home for their exceptional care throughout the journey.

In Focus: From SARS to COVID - how the sacrifices of healthcare workers 20 years ago helped guide Singapore's pandemic response

​Feature story on how SARS impacted those on the frontline mentioned that the outbreak started at TTSH, and later spread to SGH and NUH. The outbreak eventually shaped Singapore's COVID-19 response. From March to May 2003, Singapore reported a total of 238 SARS cases, resulting in 33 deaths.

958新闻聊开来：AI 新技术协助医生更快诊断中风 医生与AI 如何强强联手? (Capital 958 News: New AI technology helps doctors diagnose strokes faster, how do docs and AI work together?)

​Dr Jing Mingxue, Associate Consultant, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, NUH, explained the different types of strokes and the workflow when suspected stroke patients come through the Emergency Department. Dr Tang Si Zhao, Senior Resident, Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, NUH, said the RapidAI software makes clinical decision-making objective and time-efficient.

Behind The Mask: Our Healthcare Story – Episode 3

​The last episode of this three-part documentary produced in partnership with the Ministry of Health shows how Singapore’s fight against COVID-19 was thrown into disarray by the Omicron variant, and sheds light on the exhaustion experienced by healthcare workers. It features interviews with NUH and NTFGH profiles.

Clin A/Prof Gerald Chua, Chairman, Medical Board, NTFGH, stated that although healthcare workers who tested positive for COVID-19 were not seriously ill, they were on medical leave and that resulted in a strain on the system. Dr Siow Wen Ting, Consultant, Division of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, NUH, said that physicians across all ranks were doing odd shifts and going back to the hospital in the middle of the night to attend to patients. Dr Shekhar Dhanvijay, Senior Consultant, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, NTFGH, recalled the feeling of helplessness while taking care of a ICU patient, and Ms Thinn Su Su Swe, Senior Staff Nurse, NTFGH, talked about the appreciation messages and artworks prepared by students for healthcare workers.

Have pilot studies before implementing AI in healthcare

Stand out in STEM, with a holistic, industry-relevant education

​A PSB Academy advertorial for the academy’s upcoming STEM Open House featured Mr Nick Tan, a medical technologist at NUH specialising in conducting tests for infectious diseases and oncology.

9-year-old M’sian girl with rare leukaemia receives treatment at NUH, needs S$330K for medical funds

​The family of a nine-year-old girl suffering from a rare form of leukaemia is crowdfunding to cover the costs of her medical expenses. After her condition relapsed, her family sent her to NUH, where she received Venetoclax, a chemotherapy drug that showed positive results. However, she still requires CAR-T treatment, which is crucial for a potential cure.

Commentary: Singapore cannot rely only on crowdfunding to help those with rare diseases

CNA Online published a joint commentary by NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH) PhD candidate Dr Ng Qin Xiang; Dr Chan Hwei Wuen, a Consultant in the Department of Ophthalmology who leads a dedicated Inherited Retinal Diseases service in NUH, and A/Prof Jeremy Lim, Director of the Leadership Institute for Global Health Transformation at SSHSPH, on the issue of financing for rare diseases in Singapore. They highlighted the case of spinal muscular atrophy and the affordability and accessibility of Zolgensma treatment.

They proposed that Singapore could pilot a value-based contracting approach, raising the example of Luxturna, a one-time treatment for an inherited eye disease, and its rebate programme as a reference. The writers stressed the importance of finding innovative ways to finance these therapies, ensuring that access to life-saving treatments is not limited to the wealthy and that families do not have to rely solely on public charity to save their loved ones.

When IVF fails: The results that no one talks about

​Dr Huang Zhongwei, Deputy Director of Bia-Echo Asia Centre for Reproductive Longevity and Equality at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Consultant in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, National University Hospital, cited data from Healthhub that indicated a decline in IVF success rates with advancing age. When seeing patients who are planning for their next IVF cycle, Dr Huang shared that it is important for them to learn to accept the outcome and re-examine what can be improved. He emphasised prioritising a healthy and balanced diet, adequate physical activities, some nutrient supplementation and emotional well-being before embarking on another IVF cycle.