Khoo Teck Puat Hospital

01/08/2025

𝗜𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀

The email stopped her in her tracks. Ms Yvonne Yap read it once, twice, then a third time. As one of the youngest recipients of the President's Award for Nurses 2025, the moment felt surreal. But for those who know her work as Deputy Director of Nursing at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, this recognition speaks to a deeper truth: sometimes the most profound changes in healthcare begin with personal transformation.

At nine years old, Yvonne watched her world shift when her father passed away suddenly. In that darkness, she witnessed something extraordinary – the power of community care as neighbours and friends rallied around her family. Inspired, she began volunteering alongside her mother and community leaders, learning early lessons about service that would shape her future. At home, her aunt and cousin – both nurses – showed her what it meant to care with both skill and heart, "in those quiet, difficult moments when words weren't enough."

Today, after a 17-year journey, Yvonne oversees resource management, workforce transformation, and clinical operations. Her path through roles as preceptor, clinical instructor and Nurse Manager has deepened her understanding of healthcare and human connection. "In nursing, we are only as strong as the teams we work with," she reflects, "and I've been blessed with extraordinary colleagues who are always game to turn challenges into opportunities for growth."

Her approach to care comes alive in a story she holds close. An elderly woman, transferred from a nursing home with a hip fracture, was labelled "aggressive" – pinching, screaming, and throwing things. One day, while checking her vital signs, Yvonne witnessed a relative carelessly place a handbag on the patient's fractured hip. The patient screamed in pain, only to be met with harsh words. "In that brief interaction, everything became clear," Yvonne shares. "Her 'difficult' behaviour wasn't just about pain or confusion. It was about trust that had been broken, about feeling vulnerable and afraid." The team changed their approach, starting with genuine smiles and gentle presence. Gradually, the same patient who once refused all contact began to smile back.

As a beneficiary of educational sponsorship from diploma through to Master's level, Yvonne now champions transformation efforts that reshape care delivery. She has redesigned traditional roster systems to support work-life balance and continuously seeks opportunities to reduce unnecessary workload burdens. Working with the Chief Nurse and senior Nursing Leaders, she has established rotation programmes to enhance nurses' knowledge and build system-level thinking mindsets.

Beyond her professional achievements, Yvonne finds joy in life's simple moments – whether chasing her children at the beach or planning her return to community work. Her advice to aspiring nurses is: "Stay humble, stay hungry to learn, and build courage. Nursing isn't easy but is deeply meaningful."

01/08/2025

Today, we celebrate our incredible nurses, including our very own Senior Staff Nurse Nazrina Hoque from Yishun Community Hospital, whose inspiring journey exemplifies the heart of nursing.

From maintaining order as a prison officer to nurturing our elderly patients with dementia, Nazrina’s career transition at 32 showcases remarkable courage and dedication. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time studies with raising four young children, she persevered to pursue her calling in healthcare.

Now armed with an advanced diploma in gerontology from Nanyang Polytechnic, Nazrina brings a unique blend of skills to her role. Her previous experience helps her handle challenging situations with composure, while her natural empathy transforms the lives of our elderly patients.

“Many elderly patients, especially those with dementia, respond positively to consistent, empathetic care,” shares Nazrina. Her approach has led to remarkable transformations in patients who were once withdrawn or agitated.

To Nazrina and all our nurses — thank you for your unwavering commitment to providing compassionate care. Your dedication makes a difference every day. 💪

🌟 Happy Nurses’ Day! 🌟

They exemplify the resilience and hard work required of nurses, as Singapore gears up to celebrate Nurses’ Day on Aug 1. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

31/07/2025

This year, our Chief Executive Officer Prof Chua Hong Choon, clinical Heads of Department and senior leaders from across National Healthcare Group (NHG) stepped into the world of nursing — not just to observe, but to walk in our nurses’ shoes.

They rolled up their sleeves, lent a hand, and saw firsthand the heart, skill and resilience it takes to care for others. Their reflections are honest, moving, and full of newfound respect.

To all our nurses:
We see you. We thank you.
For every act of care, every quiet strength, and every life you touch — you make a difference, every single day. ❤️

👉 Watch the full experience now!

30/07/2025

🤯 Cockroaches, neck lumps, and chest pain... what's the connection?

Swipe to discover 5 important health facts from our Theme 1 talks!

💭 Which fact surprised you most? Comment below! 👇

✨ Missed these talks? Don't worry! Join our upcoming Theme 2: Stay Strong, Stay Active talks this August and September. Register at https://for.sg/ktph15-2

29/07/2025

Yup, that’s our senior management
In scrubs. In the thick of it.
You’re probably wondering how they ended up here… 👀

The annual Be A Nurse experience is back! Full video dropping soon.

29/07/2025

💪✨ Ready to move better, feel stronger, and age actively?

Join us for 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝟮: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 of our 15th Anniversary virtual health talk series with National Library Board, Singapore. Here's another 5 free talks by our doctors on keeping your body strong and healthy. From managing joint pain to understanding hearing loss, we’ve got your midweek health boost covered!👂👀🏃‍♀️💬

🗓️ Every Wednesday
🕛 12:00PM – 1:00PM
📍 Zoom Webinar
📌 FREE & open to all! Share with your family and friends
➡️ Register at https://for.sg/ktph15-2 or scan the QR code on poster!

28/07/2025

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital’s Deputy Director of Nursing, Ms Yvonne Yap, was among 3 recipients conferred with the prestigious President’s Award for Nurses (PAN) last Friday.

Launched in 2000, the PAN honours sustained outstanding performance and contributions to patient care delivery, education, research and administration. It is the highest accolade of the nursing profession in Singapore.

Ms Yvonne Yap has redefined nursing practice through strategic workforce redesign and cultural transformation. Her pioneering human-centric roster strategy eliminated the challenging 4-day continuous PM-AM shifts, leading to cluster-wide adoption and optimised morning shift hours that enhanced staff well-being. She co-created the Patient Care Officer role, which maximised clinical time and catalysed the redesign of the Nursing Ancillary track, refreshing robust career pathways and competencies. This subsequently shaped the Registered and Enrolled Nurse upskilling programme.

Through the Work-Sense Committee, she established Personal Development Conversations that deepened professional growth and purpose. Her clinical leadership anchors nursing excellence while fostering meaningful human connections. Beyond the hospital, her sustained community engagement has positively shaped the health of the population she serves, while her people-centred approach continues to drive nursing innovation and empowerment.

We’re incredibly proud of Ms Yvonne. Your visionary leadership shows us that true healthcare transformation begins with heart. ❤️

Congratulations as well to the other recipients of the award - Assistant Director of Nursing at National University Hospital - NUH, Ms Cindy Chua, and Assistant Director of Nursing at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital JurongHealth Campus, Ms Clarice Wee! You are an inspiration to us all! 💪

Ms Clarice Wee, Ms Cindy Chua, and Ms Yvonne Yap are this year's recipients of Singapore's highest accolade for nurses. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

24/07/2025

𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐑𝐒 🩺💙

We are revolutionising emergency care for our elderly patients through Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH)’s pioneering Acute Geriatric Assessment Unit (AGAU). Since 2019, this innovative approach has transformed emergency care for seniors, who make up 25% of Emergency Department (ED) visits.

The AGAU’s multidisciplinary team conducts comprehensive assessments of each patient's medical, psychological, and functional needs using standardised tools, developing personalised care plans that address their unique needs. 🫶

The impact has been significant: over 60 ED Registered Nurses and physicians specially trained in geriatric care, 15,208 bed days reduced, nearly $10 million in healthcare costs saved, improved health outcomes and safer discharges, shorter ED and inpatient stays, and reduced hospital admissions and return visits.

In recognition of this innovative approach, KTPH was presented with the Exemplary Innovation Award at the Public Sector Transformation Awards earlier this month. 🌟

23/07/2025

Talent level: Nurse 💯

We’re counting down the days to Nurses’ Day 2025 with our multitalented nurses! 💥 Always knew they had more than just clinical skills up their sleeves — and now they’re showing us how much more. 😎

18/07/2025

𝗜𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀

"A lot of people assume nurses just follow doctors' orders," reflects Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) and Senior Staff Nurse Jie Rosi, “but APNs actually have the autonomy to assess patients and make clinical decisions within their scope in collaboration with the medical team.”

What sets her apart isn't just her clinical acumen — it's her dedication to patient education. Many of her patients deal with long-term conditions that become their new ‘norm’, and Rosi helps them and their families understand the diagnosis and its impact on their lives moving forward. “I make it a point to talk to patients and their families, explain things in a way they can understand, and involve them in their care decisions,” she shares.

Rosi is contributing meaningfully by enhancing patient care in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital's (KTPH) Respiratory Department. Having spent eight years at KTPH, with the past one and a half years as an APN, she embodies a fresh perspective in advanced nursing care.

Her journey to becoming an APN was driven by a simple yet powerful motivation: the desire to understand the 'why' behind the 'what' of patient care. "I wanted to be a stronger advocate for my patients and communicate better with their families," she explains. “I’ve always believed that nurses are capable of so much more, and I also wanted to be in a position to upskill others and help improve clinical practice on the ground.”

Beyond patient care, Rosi finds fulfilment in teaching others. "Most people don't realise that APNs actually teach a lot too!" she shares enthusiastically. Whether it's conducting sessions for nurses, guiding junior doctors, or mentoring students, she sees teaching as an integral part of improving healthcare delivery (and one of the best parts of her job!)

Being the youngest APN comes with its unique challenges. Rosi acknowledges that her age occasionally raises initial doubts among patients and families. “There’s this natural hesitation when you look young — like, are you sure you know what you’re doing?”, she shares. However, she has learnt that age matters less — it's about building trust through consistent communication, presence and genuine care. “After a few conversations and updates, most families start to open up and rely on you.”

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of her role is having difficult conversations, particularly about end-of-life care. She recalls a touching experience with an elderly patient with end-stage COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and his sons, who were very involved but uncertain about their father’s situation. Her consistent guidance walking through their end-of-life journey resulted in a grateful phone call from the patient’s sons after their father’s passing.

“It reminded me how important it is to communicate openly and be there for families — especially when it’s about life and death, which isn’t something people talk about easily,” she reflects.

Outside of work, this self-proclaimed cat mum finds solace in travelling, diving, and embracing nature — activities that help her maintain balance in a demanding profession.

Through her story, Rosi demonstrates that healthcare isn't just about clinical expertise — it's about combining professional competence with genuine human connection. As she puts it, it's those small moments — a patient getting better, a family saying thank you, or a nurse learning something new — that make the journey worthwhile.

15/07/2025

“Sometimes just a scent, a sound, or a sight can trigger hidden sorrow.”

What happens after caregiving ends? Through years of supporting bereaved caregivers, our Principal Medical Social Worker Lim Siao Ee from Yishun Community Hospital has witnessed countless individuals navigate the complex journey of grief, not just for their loved ones, but also for the caregiving role that defined their daily lives. ❤️‍🩹

“As a society, we must better understand and support those experiencing bereavement,” Siao Ee shares, drawing from her extensive social work experience. “We should create safe environments where people can freely express their grief without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.”

莎伦坐在客厅，凝视着妈妈的照片。照片中，面带微笑的妈妈穿着她最喜欢的花裙，手捧鲜花。那是多年前妈妈79岁生日时拍的。然而，短短八年间，一切都变了。