Sunday, October 18, 2015 | The Sunday Times | C13

OFFICIAL OPENING OF NG TENG FONG GENERAL HOSPITAL & JURONG COMMUNITY HOSPITAL TRANSFORMING CARE. BRINGING HEALTH TO EVERY HOME.

A patient converses with PM Lee and Mr Foo and relates his experience at the Ng Teng Fong General Hospital. Raising the bar of healthcare

Ng Teng Fong General With an ageing Hospital and Jurong population and the Community Hospital growing prevalence of stand out for their chronic diseases, we pioneering design need to do more with the community and and novel approach to grassroots partners, integrating acute and relevant agencies and community care other intermediate and long-term care providers IAN DE COTTA to help our community ROOFTOP gardens and verdant stay well and live well. greenery on every floor deliver an image of lush living. From left: Mrs Tan Ching Yee, Permanent Secretary (Health); Mr Cedric Foo (MP for Pioneer SMC); Mr David Ong (MP for Bukit Batok SMC); Dr Chia Shi-Lu, chairman, Government But this is the Ng Teng Fong Gen- Parliamentary Committee for Health; Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister of State (Health and Communications & Information); A/ Prof Cheah Wei Keat, chairman, Medical Board, eral Hospital (NTFGH), a state-of- JurongHealth; Ms Ho Ching, chief executive of cer, Temasek Holdings; Ms Grace Foo, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth; Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health; MR FOO HEE JUG the-art medical institution, and ad- PM Lee Hsien Loong; Mr Lim Yong Wah, Chairman, JurongHealth; Mr Foo Hee Jug, CEO, JurongHealth; Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State (Health and the Environment & chief executive of cer joining it are the Jurong Community Water Resources); Dr Lam Pin Min, Minister of State for Health; Mr Patrick Tay, member of Government Parliamentary Committee for Health; Mr Ang Wei Neng, MP for Jurong JurongHealth Hospital (JCH) and NTFGH Clinic GRC; Madam Rahayu Mahzam, MP for Jurong GRC; Dr Tan Wu Meng, MP for Jurong GRC; MG (NS) Ng Chee Khern, Second Permanent Secretary (Health). PHOTOS: JURONGHEALTH Tower, equally green. Built to serve the 900,000 resi- patient-centric hospitals aimed to recuperates. They are also supported by rele- dential and business community enhance the medical treatment ex- “In Jurong Community Hospi- vant adjacent services like Radiol- in the western catchment area of perience and recovery of those un- tal, we have a mock-up three-room ogy to minimise the unnecessary Singapore, the facilities started op- der their care. HDB fl at, just to help patients ease movement of transfer and pave the erations four months ago and were Noting that Singapore’s health- back into their home environment, way for swift access to treatment. o cially opened by Prime Minister care needs are increasing with a while they are recuperating. And The follow-through system that Lee Hsien Loong on Oct 10. growing ageing population, Prime they will continue to be looked after has been built into NTFGH or JCH When fully operational, the Minister Lee says NTFGH and other by care teams from both sides, the has also been applied at the NTFGH JurongHealth-managed NTFGH hospitals in the pipeline have been general hospital, if necessary, or the Clinic Tower. and JCH will add 700 acute and 400 planned to meet those demands. community hospital, which most of community hospital beds to the na- the time will be adequate.” One bill, one queue tional healthcare capacity. Seamlessly connected JurongHealth chief executive “At our specialist clinics, we have The pioneering design of the hos- “I am very happy we now have Ng o cer Foo Hee Jug says that since Integrated, streamlined incorporated a ‘one bill, one queue pitals stands out from other typical Teng Fong General Hospital and opening their doors in June, NTFGH This is the fi rst integrated develop- system’ where a single registration medical facilities and the concept the Jurong Community Hospital and JCH have cared for over 6,300 ment of an acute general hospital number is given to the patient for the follows through inside. built and operating,” adds Mr Lee. inpatients. and a community hospital in Singa- During the event, the public were given various service points,” says Mr Foo. Beds, especially in the six and “And because these are new devel- With 500 out of 700 beds at NTF- pore where the two hospitals have free blood pressure tests and blood tests. “We have also placed satellite 12-patient wards, are confi gured to opments, we had the chance to de- GH now operational, the acute hos- been planned, designed and built at PHOTOS: CHONG JUN LIANG pharmacies on most clinic floors, have their own windows. sign the buildings from a fresh start pital has an occupancy rate that is as the same time to create a seamless which are supported by a central Natural light and ventilation in- around the patient.” high as 80 per cent, while at JCH, 175 experience for patients as they re- development of NTFGH and JCH has packing area with an e cient pneu- tegrated with external gardens and He says that as NTFGH and JCH of the 400 beds are available, he adds. cover, while achieving economies given us the opportunity to stream- matic tube system. outdoor terraces are also evident are connected, medical care is also More beds will be added progres- and synergies of co-location. line operations right from the start. “With this process, medication throughout the hospitals. seamless from the moment a pa- sively to both hospitals as part of Ms Joanne Yap, chief operating of- The two hospitals are wired up to lev- for patients is prepared and tubed NTFGH and JCH were built as tient is admitted until the time he their phased opening plan. ficer, JurongHealth says: “The twin erage on technology for safe patient to the respective satellite pharma- care, e ciency and productivity. cies for patients to collect after con- “Both hospitals ride on the same IT sultation and to make one payment NTFGH and JCH are a infrastructure and application solu- before heading o .” showcase of design tions such as the electronic medical Despite the aesthetic appeal of NT- excellence at the record, digital imaging, medication FGH, JCH and the clinic tower, and heart of Jurong East. preparation, dispensing and ad- the drive to increase capacity and ca- ministration, meal orders and food pabilities, Mr Foo says JurongHealth preparations, visitor management, is fully tuned in to doing more to look and integrated logistics support from after the health of the community. warehouse to service points, just to “By the time a resident turns up name a few.” at the hospital, he is already ill,” The streamlined formula is also he says. “With an ageing popula- at the core of emergency care of pa- tion and the growing prevalence tients from the point of admission, of chronic diseases, we need to as the Emergency Department, Op- do more with the community and erating Theatre and Intensive Care grassroots partners, relevant agen- Unit (ICU) are stacked together in a cies and other intermediate and vertical column. long-term care providers to help our These departments have dedicat- community stay well and live well. ed trauma lifts that allow patients to “We can help make life, health be moved swiftly across the deliv- and healthcare more wonderful by ery of critical care, where time is of the way we approach health and the essence. healthcare.” C14 OFFICIAL OPENING OF NG TENG FONG GENERAL HOSPITAL AND JURONG COMMUNITY HOSPITAL The Sunday Times | Sunday, October 18, 2015 Sunday, October 18, 2015 | The Sunday Times OFFICIAL OPENING OF NG TENG FONG GENERAL HOSPITAL AND JURONG COMMUNITY HOSPITAL C15 SPECIAL TRANSFORMING CARE. BRINGING HEALTH TO EVERY HOME. TRANSFORMING CARE. BRINGING HEALTH TO EVERY HOME. SPECIAL

WARDS WARD DESIGN The innovative fan shape design of the wards in NTFGH and JCH is unique and revolutionary as it provides a window for Health every patient, significantly Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Jurong Community Hospital o er holistic approach to healthcare improving ventilation and care maximising natural light. These attributes not only enhance the patient’s THE future of public healthcare is friendlier, more Mr Foo Hee Jug, chief executive o cer of JurongHealth, The ward design also provides e cient and fuss-free. explains: “Planning two new hospitals from ground up BREEZY comfort and rate of

And it is here. has allowed us the opportunity to see, feel and examine recovery, they also improve a more spacious and conducive Among the nation’s healthcare †rsts: A window for every The integrated healthcare hub, Ng Teng Fong General the space from the perspectives of our patients and their infection control. working environment for the patient and unique fan-shaped wards. Designed to Hospital (NTFGH) in Jurong, comprises three towers — loved ones. medical team. provide patient privacy, the orientation and the the NTFGH Clinic Tower, the NTFGH Ward Tower and the “Within NTFGH and JCH, the infrastructure is designed distinctive layout of the ward oŸers a conducive healing Jurong Community Hospital — all built and with our patient journey in mind. The systems and the environment, improves ventilation and maximises conceptualised as a single integrated concept. processes are integrated into the infrastructure space natural lighting to increase patients’ comfort and the rate But it is style with a substantive purpose: To serve the planning as we create a fuss-free environment with of recovery. The design also improves infection control JURONG COMMUNITY HOSPITAL patient seamlessly, comfortably and e ciently. It is, patient safety, quality medical care, enhanced comfort and provides a safer workplace for the healthcare team. simply, "FEBulous", if you consider how Friendly, Easy and convenience in mind. Patients not only go through treatment with comfort and Breezy it will be for patients. “Co-locating the acute and the community hospital also and care, but another signi†cant †rst: A one-queue and allows us to deliver seamless care and better one-bill system at the clinics. management of patient load with the aim to provide the TOWER C For the convenience of patients and their caregivers, right care, at the right place, at the right time.” FRIENDLY every patient will be issued a single queue number for all Key areas such as wards and clinics are modular to Community hospital service points in the entire patient journey for the day, allow for ’exible conversion of space should there be a Patients who require sub-acute Every aspect of the hospital has been planned to be and will only need to make a single payment at the last need to expand any outpatient services or ward patient-friendly, with special attention to his every need — point of service. and rehabilitative care can be con†guration to meet the changing needs of patients. The from admission to diagnosis to treatment to recovery. Satellite pharmacies at almost every clinic ’oor, in seamlessly transferred to the combined intensive and high dependency care concept Critical care services such as the †rst combined addition to a larger Outpatient and Retail Pharmacy on community hospital. also allows for convertible use of the rooms according to Intensive Care Unit and High Dependency facility, Level 2 enable patients and caregivers to collect their demand. Operating Theatres and the Emergency Department are medication at the end of their visit. vertically co-located for swift response. Comprising a 16-level Ward Tower and an eight-level Clinic Tower, NTFGH has 700 beds and 120-consult room facilities, and easy access to a satellite pharmacy on almost every clinic ’oor. NG TENG FONG GENERAL HOSPITAL The hospital provides all the essential healthcare needs, such as emergency, intensive, surgical, rehabilitative and diagnostic services. All these essential healthcare services will serve the healthcare needs of the estimated TOWER A TOWER B 900,000-strong community in the west. The soothing, seamless elderly-friendly environment NTFGH Clinics NTFGH Wards extends to convenient access to the public transport system through link bridges via Westgate or Big Box. The Specialist Outpatient With 700 beds, the ward tower Clinics (SOC) at Tower A also houses critical care services, EASY bring together a diverse including the Emergency multi-disciplinary team of Department, Operating Theatres, NTFGH is designed for e ciency and ease of movement. medical experts to manage Intensive Care Unit and other Built from ground up with an adjacent step-down care at various medical diagnostic and treatment Jurong Community Hospital, it serves to ensure swift and conditions. services. smooth transfer of patients across the two hospitals, providing optimal care for patients.

Patients’, visitors’ and vehicular entry point via Jurong East Street 21

700 400 BEDS AT BEDS AT NG TENG FONG JURONG BOON LAY WAY GENERAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL HOSPITAL

5,000 PAIRS OF CARING HANDS Ambulance only drop-off route 15 GARDENS 120 ERGONOMICALLY- FRIENDLY Link bridge to Jurong East CONSULTATION MRT station and bus ROOMS interchange via Westgate WINDOW OPERATING THEATRES INTENSIVE CARE UNIT EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (ED) FOR EVERY PATIENT Level 3 Level 4 Level 1 ONE QUEUE, ONE BILL, ONE PATIENT EXPERIENCE A dedicated complex of 18 operating Singapore’s first combined Intensive Care An ambulance-only drop-off from Boon Lay theatres, equipped with computerised and Unit (ICU) and High Dependency (HD) Unit Way allows direct access into the ED for 5 LINK integrated equipment for smooth, modern streamline care that cuts across the critically ill patients. A separate drop-off BRIDGES and up-to-date surgical management. Using different conventional ICUs (Surgical, driveway for walk-in patients is at the hybrid, 3D and computer precise navigation, Medical, Cardiac and Neurosurgical). This opposite side of the building. The ED is state-of-the-art and advanced minimally allows patients to be cared for by the same pandemic, mass-casualty and trauma ready Walk-in entrance 18 invasive surgical procedures can be team. The ‘window for every patient’ with modular trauma suites that can be to ED via OPERATING performed. concept extends to ICU and HD patients as combined for a larger care team for severe Jurong East St 21 THEATRES well, and comes with an outdoor garden so trauma cases. that stable ICU and HD patients can enjoy SATELLITE some fresh air. Jurong East St 21 PHARMACY ON ALMOST EVERY FLOOR AT NTFGH Check in Consult Collect Check out CLINICS At NTFGH’s Specialist The same queue It is also Payment for all Outpatient Clinics, number will be used for the services will be Jurong Gateway Rd 876 patients need only scanned and used at collection of consolidated CARPARK LOTS register once at the every clinic including medication. into one bill by Direct and dedicated entrance to the ED for start of the visit. And blood tests, MRIs the end of the Jurong East St 11 get a queue number. and X-rays etc. visit. ambulance cases via Boon Lay Way, away from other ED patients 550 SOLAR INFOGRAPHIC: SPH THINK inc PANELS C16 OFFICIAL OPENING OF NG TENG FONG GENERAL HOSPITAL AND JURONG COMMUNITY HOSPITAL The Sunday Times | Sunday, October 18, 2015 Sunday, October 18, 2015 | The Sunday Times OFFICIAL OPENING OF NG TENG FONG GENERAL HOSPITAL AND JURONG COMMUNITY HOSPITAL C17 SPECIAL TRANSFORMING CARE. BRINGING HEALTH TO EVERY HOME. TRANSFORMING CARE. BRINGING HEALTH TO EVERY HOME. SPECIAL

July 27 Jan 15 JurongHealth Sept 8 Jan 20 March 12 June 29 and 30 Former Health holds its rst A signing ceremony The nal cement slab, JurongHealth NTFGH opens its doors Minister Khaw Boon Nurses’ Day is held for the covered in over 4,000 obtains the at 8am on June 30 June 11 Wan visits the and unveils the commencement signatures and well wishes Temporary after the successful Jurong Health Services (JurongHealth) rst life-sized new nursing of the Superstructure from the community, is Occupation Permit transfer of remaining is formed and the senior management mock-up of a hospital uniforms. phase for hoisted to the top of the for Tower B — patients from Alexandra Milestones of team start to come together over the ward at Alexandra JurongHealth’s new NTFGH ward tower at the NTFGH Wards. Hospital on June 29. Ng Teng Fong next few months. Hospital. hospitals in the west. Topping Out Ceremony. General Hospital 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 and Jurong Community Oct 22 June 23 Nov 9 July 27 Feb 9 The JurongHealth Board JurongHealth The Groundbreaking The BUILD WITH US! JurongHealth June 5 Hospital holds its rst meeting and launches its Ceremony of NTFGH Your Gateway to Health obtains the JurongHealth obtains the the Senior Management team vision, mission and JCH is held. event introduces Temporary Temporary Occupation has its rst walkabout at the and values on its services and patient- Occupation Permit for Tower C — construction site of Ng Teng rst anniversary. centric features for Permit for Jurong Community Fong General Hospital (NTFGH) the community at Tower A — Hospital as well as the and Jurong Community NTFGH and JCH. NTFGH Clinics. two link bridges to Oct 10 Hospital (JCH). Westgate and Big Box. Of cial opening of NTFGH and JCH.

Getting patients back on their feet

The new Jurong Community Hospital seeks to improve patients’ lives through all-encompassing sub-acute and continuing care

ESTHER TEO Fong General Hospital (NTFGH), this Acute hospitals ‘ x’ is the fi rst time in Singapore an acute WITH its glinting, wavy façade and care community hospital and a com- health problems, but cascading garden terraces, some munity hospital have been built con- post-acute care is people may think the new Jurong currently and are co-located. Community Hospital (JCH) does not Sharing laboratory, radiology, required after that look like a typical place of healing. dietetic and operational support to mobilise the But its unique structural design services, the two hospitals play an is just one of the ways Singapore’s intricately collaborative role in pa- patients and help By replicating real-life situations in a 3-room at, the Life Hub allows patients to make an easier transition when they are very fi rst fully dedicated sub-acute tient care — JCH receives patients them reintegrate back home. and continuing care specialist hos- from NTFGH and helps free up hos- pital is seeking to transform health- pital beds there for those who need into the community. ical impairment how to use public care management skills. wards is a replica of NTFGH’s, so care here. urgent care. It can also tap on the transport safely. To provide a “one-stop solution”, patients who transfer over will not JCH’s opening is timely — its med- larger hospital’s expertise in spe- “The facility enables patients to the attached retail pharmacy stocks be unsettled by the change in sur- ical director, Dr Chua Chi Siong, cialised areas such as geriatric care. break away from the confines of a wide range of assistive devices roundings. says that as Singapore’s population NTFGH’s assistant chief operat- the wards and indoor gymnasium, such as wheelchairs, walking canes, Each ward has an attached toilet Beds in the wards are staggered to peutic for dementia patients. MR CHUA CHI SIONG ages, the profi le of illnesses here has ing o cer, service operations, and medical director and to receive outdoor rehabilita- feeding accessories and other useful and nurse’s substation located close control the spread of infections bet- Other fun activities patients can changed greatly. JCH’s director of operations Ng Jurong Community Hospital tion treatment in a more spacious items, which patients and their fam- by so patients can be attended to ter and a special fan system with a engage in either alone or with their EDITOR Leong Phei Phei He explains: “Now, there are more Kian Swan says: “Patients enjoy a and open garden,” says Mr Ng. ilies can purchase to install at home. earlier, preventing falls. carbon fi lter pumps in clean air dur- family members include festival PROJECT EDITOR Kenneth Goh chronic diseases and while survival smoother and hassle-free expe- To that end, the hospital is JCH’s Life Hub is another innova- Next up is a supermarket shelf The wards’ fan-shaped layout ing the haze periods. celebrations, karaoke, handicraft WRITER Esther Teo CONTRIBUTOR Ian De Cotta rates are higher due to medical ad- rience when they are transferred custom-built to create a healing tive facility that prepares patients area to teach patients the types of with a window at each bedside pro- As JCH patients tend to stay and gardening classes. CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Uma Venkatraman vances, these can still culminate in from one facility to the other.” environment for patients with a for their transition back into the healthy food to buy, says Mr Ng. motes ventilation and enhances pa- longer — for up to about 30 days — Dr Chua says: “At JCH, it is a dif- ART DIRECTOR Chris Tan loss of bodily functions for patients. suite of rehabilitation options. home environment. tients’ privacy. the hospital also organises activities ferent kind of satisfaction than at ART AND DESIGN Lynnette Chia, Vikki Chan “Acute hospitals ‘fi x’ health prob- Real-life situations Its Mobility Park — the fi rst of its It features a simulated three- A place of healing The better light penetration also to keep them occupied, says Mr Ng. acute hospitals where things are PHOTOGRAPHER Chong Jun Liang lems, but post-acute care is required Dr Chua says that JCH’s ethos focus- kind in Singapore — is an outdoor room HDB flat with a fully in- Dr Chua says a lot of thought was helps patients recover by improving Patients can stroll in the safe con- more ‘exciting’. ADMIN MANAGER Zain Afridi after that to mobilise the patients es on promoting health and disease rehabilitation area featuring simu- teractive learning environment put into making JCH as pleasant and their mental state and reinforcing fi nes of a gated “healing” garden on “Here, as we watch patients’ func- ADVERTISING SALES Nancy Kan (9761-6215), Lina Tan (9620-1355) and help them reintegrate into the prevention as well as helping pa- lated transport facilities such as an showcasing best practices in home safe for patients as possible. their natural circadian rhythm — Level 4. tions improve and they cheer up For reproduction of articles or reprints of photographs, call Jurong Community Hospital has been built with the aim of community.” tients achieve the highest quality of MRT train carriage, bus and taxi to health and safety, offering solu- Even with different bed number especially beneficial for dementia According to Dr Chua, the activity over time, the therapeutic relation- SPH's Information Resource Centre: 6319-5508 or 6319-5726. prioritising health, safety and convenience when patients Built adjoining the new Ng Teng life possible. teach patients su ering from phys- tions for patient and elderly home configurations, the layout of JCH’s patients, says Dr Chua. of “wandering” can be very thera- ship we share is priceless.” E-mail feedback to [email protected] move from the adjoining NTFGH. PHOTOS: CHONG JUN LIANG