While healthcare workers are honoured and recognised for their dedication and commitment a few times a year, it‟s not every day that patients are lauded for being exemplary.

Three patients from the National Healthcare Group (NHG) institutions will today be presented with the Exemplary Patient Award by NHG CEO, Professor Chee Yam Cheng, in an annual celebration that started in 2008

The Exemplary Patient Award recognises patients who have contributed significantly to a positive experience in healthcare service delivery in our institutions. It commends model patients for lending support to fellow patients as well as hospital staff, and extending extraordinary patience and understanding to hospital staff

The three winners were nominated by staff in Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), NHG Polyclinics (NHGP) and the National Skin Centre (NSC).

At 54, freelance music teacher Mr Peter Tang is a nasopharyngeal cancer survivor. He was successfully treated with radiotherapy 19 years ago. Three weeks after completing radiotherapy, he experienced a moment of fear and loneliness when he felt a surge of „electricity‟ from his head to toe during his run. This inspired him to form a nose cancer support group for other nose cancer patients and survivors. Peter organises talks on various topics by medical and allied health professionals, public forums and an annual year-end party to encourage interaction between hospital staff and cancer survivors.

Mr Sunny Soo Siong Guan, 61, has been retired since 2008. He volunteers at Toa Payoh Polyclinic three times a week, helping to manage the crowds and queues at the laboratories; ensuring supplies of lab tubes at workstations are always stocked up; and keeping the laboratory in good condition. Sunny also provides suggestions and feedback on safety and environment protocols at the polyclinic.

An inspiration to the staff at the National Skin Centre, Mdm Koh Poh Tee, 50 is very patient and understanding towards nurses who attend to her wound dressing and often reassures our nurses. She never fails to thank every staff who attends to her – from doctors to nurses, health attendants and counter staff.

“We have always rewarded and recognised staff for outstanding patient-centric care but not patients who have helped us make things better within our systems,” said NHG Chief Quality Officer Adjunct Associate Professor Nellie Yeo. “These patients‟ suggestions and feedback and their generosity in giving their time and energy to volunteer have made our institutions better for other patients. So in 2008, we decided to feature their good work and recognise them with this Exemplary Patient Award, and this practice has continued to this day.”

All three winners will take home a certificate signed by NHG CEO, Professor Chee Yam Cheng, and a shopping voucher. A total of 14 individuals, including this year‟s three patients, have been lauded since 2008.

The first National Healthcare Group Quality event was held in October 2000, following NHG‟s inception. Over the last 10 years, the NHG Quality Day has become an annual celebration of quality improvement activities. At this event, NHG also honours outstanding service staff as well as patients– with the presentation of the NHG Excellence in Action (Staff) awards and the NHG Exemplary Patient awards.

The Exemplary Patient Award was first launched in 2008. It recognises patients who have been
- Particularly helpful and understanding in their interactions with our staff
- Helped other patients have a good appreciation and understanding of the services we provide, or
- Who have contributed ideas that led to significant developments in our institutions

Besides the three Exemplary Patients, NHG also presented the NHG Excellence in Action (Staff) Award to outstanding staff who epitomise service excellence. These 60 individuals personify NHG‟s CARE Values of confidence, attentiveness, respect and empathy. There are Individual Awards in five different categories, namely, Allied Health, Ancillary and Support, Executive and Administrative, Medical, and last but not least, Nursing. In addition to the Individual Awards, Leadership Awards and Team Awards were also given out.

The National Healthcare Group (NHG) is a leader in public healthcare in Singapore, recognised at home and abroad for the quality of its medical expertise and facilities. Care is provided through an integrated network of nine primary healthcare polyclinics, acute care hospitals, national specialty centres, innovative virtual specialty centres and business divisions. Together they bring a rich legacy of 340 years of medical expertise to our philosophy of patient-centric care.

By designing accessible and seamless healthcare services around patient needs, NHG ensures that patient care is fully coordinated within the cluster and is also extended to high level collaboration with other healthcare providers at home and abroad.

NHG‟s vision of “Adding years of healthy life” is more than just about healing the sick. It encompasses the more difficult but infinitely more rewarding task of preventing illness and preserving health and quality of life. With some 10,000 staff, NHG aims to provide care that is patient-centric, accessible, seamless, comprehensive, appropriate and cost-effective.

More information is available at www.nhg.com.sg

For media queries and more information, please contact:
Liana Goh
Senior Executive, Corporate Communications
National Healthcare Group
Direct: 6496 6262
Email: liana_gc_goh@hng.com.sg

Hamidah Aidillah
Executive, Corporate Communications
National Healthcare Group
Direct: 6496 6264
Email: hamidah_aidillah@nhg.com.sg