Since 1985, the Department of Medical Social Work at the National University Hospital has played an integral part in the hospital's holistic patient care. Our medical social workers collaborate closely with a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals to deliver psychosocial care to patients and their families, addressing the psychological, emotional, economic and physical impact of illnesses.
Ms Terina Tan
Ms Eva Chow
Ms Diana Koh
Ms Teo Sork Chin
Ms Alexis Koh
Ms Chua Wan Zhi
Ms Yvonne Cai
Ms Evelyn Soh
Ms Pang Lee Yien
Ms Vivian Luah
Ms Christina D/o Anatharaju
Mr Ong Wei Tao
Ms Jasmine Low
Ms Hazel Foo
Mr Thomas Lee
Ms Margaret Chan
Ms Choo Ai Zhia
Ms Phyllisa Zheng
Ms Tang Siang Ning
Ms Kelly Cheong
Ms Virginie Forget
Ms Karyn Ang
Ms Chew Ann Hui
Ms Trixie Tian
Ms Chin Mei Yee
Ms Theresa Soh
Ms Nur Raihanah Binte Mohamed
Mr Nicholas Ng
Ms Chan Xin Hui
Ms Aggie Ling
Ms Reine Lee
Ms Melody Tam
Ms Sophia Xu Jing
Ms Zeng Guyan
Ms Nabilah Noordin
Ms Anna Ang
Ms Charmaine Ang
Ms Isabel Liew
Ms Claryl Ho
Ms Liew Shi Ping
Ms Lim Su Xin
Ms Yeo Ker Yin
Ms Rachel Koh
Ms Annabelle Yeo
Ms Faith Lim
Ms Goh Dai Mei
Ms Tess Kwan
Mr Lee Jia Jun
Ms Nur'Syazwani Binte Ab Mutalif
Ms Lee Xin Hui
Ms Lim Therene
Mr Doyle Tan
Ms Puganeswari
Ms Noor Elya Deeana Binte Md Taib
Ms Esther Lee
Ms K Kasturi
Ms Aw Kee Khim
Ms Tay Xi Wen Teri
Mr Owen Quek
Ms Siti Nurzarifah Binte Selamat
Mr Elson Tan
Ms Iman 'Aisyah Binte Rizal
Ms Divya D/O Udaya Narain Pandey
Counselling
We provide counselling to patients and their loved ones to help them cope with the impact of their medical condition and resulting life changes.
Care Arrangement and Discharge Planning
We assist patients with complex psychosocial and discharge-planning needs by conducting timely assessments and interventions. We also help patients and their families cope with personal, emotional and bio-psychosocial issues affecting hospitalisation and care delivery by connecting them with community resources and supportive counselling.
Financial Assistance
We assess and administer accessible financial assistance schemes for patients and families in need.
Crisis Intervention
Psychosocial assessment, counselling support and practical assistance are provided to patients in a crisis, including victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, self-harm or attempted suicide, neglect and other forms of abuse.
Education, Teaching and Networking
We offer clinical supervision to NUS social work students. Additionally, we actively engage in inter-professional teaching for NUS medical students from Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine through lectures, talks and patient interactions. We are also involved with the National Medical Social Work (MSW) Chapter training and regional workgroups with government and volunteer organisations.
Support Groups
The Department runs group work to further provide educational and emotional support to specific groups of patients and their loved ones.
Dream Catchers: Dream Catchers is a peer group programme comprising youths (11 to 35 years old) living with various forms of childhood chronic illnesses. The programme aims to equip these youths with support and life skills needed to navigate through the ups and downs of their illnesses.
Incredible Years' Parents Support Programme: The Incredible Years Parenting programme is an evidence-based treatment initiative for families with children with behavioural issues and defiant disorder. It focuses on strengthening parents' competence and building positive parent-child relationship. It aims to:
- Equip parents with strategies to work with young children and their behavioural issues;
- Promote their social, emotional and academic competence;
- Foster mutual support among parents.
Kids Connect: Kids Connect is a holiday support programme targeted at children (7 to 12 years old) whose parents or loved ones are impacted by cancer. The group sessions, which comprise play and other creative activities, aim to help children moderate their feelings by providing avenues to express these feelings and explore strategies to cope with them.
Empowered Living (HIV Support Group): Empowered Living is a joint psycho-education programme administered by the Medical Social Services Department at Singapore General Hospital and the Department of Medical Social Work at NUH. The programme serves as a safe platform for group sharing, and provides psycho-education on nutrition, sexual health and other issues.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme: The Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme is run by the multi-disciplinary team at National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) to support cardiac patients through their recovery process. Our MSW team facilitates psycho-education talk and support group sessions for cardiac patients, providing a platform for learning and mutual sharing.
CARE System (Caring Action in Response to Emergency)
The Department leads and coordinates the hospital's psychological response through its CARE teams during national emergencies and incidents involving mass casualty.
In addition to Medical Social Workers, staff members from various departments undergo our training and become members of the CARE team. In times of crisis, extensive CARE coverage is implemented at the Emergency Medicine Department, Relative Holding Area, and strategic locations to effectively reach out to those affected.
Hospital Peer Support Programme - CARE buddies
The Department has been at the forefront in pioneering and sustaining the hospital's peer support programme for staff.
The NUH CARE Buddies Programme is designed to offer formal training to staff, empowering them to provide psychological support to peers dealing with critical incidents, stress, personal events and burnout. Currently, CARE Buddies Teams have been established in all wards and outpatient areas. Over 500 staff interested in this support programme have earned an internationally recognised certification.
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