Polyclinic pilots Singapore’s first intelligent vaccine system that offers traceability, prevents wastage, and increases storage capacity.
Singapore, 7 May 2022 – The National Healthcare Group Polyclinics (NHGP) today officially opened its seventh polyclinic, Kallang Polyclinic, to help meet the growing healthcare needs of residents in the area. Kallang Polyclinic is the first new polyclinic opened by NHGP following the 2017 reorganisation of Singapore’s healthcare system. The opening ceremony was officiated by Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health.
Against the backdrop of Singapore’s ageing population and the prevalence of chronic diseases, Associate Professor Chong Phui-Nah, Chief Executive Officer, NHGP and Primary Care, believes that primary care plays a key role in meeting the evolving needs of patients: “As a primary care provider, the National Healthcare Group Polyclinics offers more than just medical care to our patients. We manage patients holistically by providing preventive care as well as engage, educate and empower them to take charge of their health so as to reduce the risk or delay the onset of developing chronic diseases. NHGP also works collaboratively with partners in the community to develop individualised care plans in order to achieve better health for the population – one patient at a time. We will also continue to innovate and ideate new ways to further benefit our patients.”
Integrating Health and Social Needs: RELATE & EMBRACEPLUS
Recognising that health and social challenges often co-exist in patients with complex conditions, NHGP is working with various agencies and community partners to identify the unique needs of patients and connect them to appropriate social services. RELATE or RELationship-based HeAlth & Social InTEgration and EMBRACEPLUS or Enhanced Maternal Baby ToddleR And Child SurvEillancePLUS are two such programmes that have been implemented in Kallang Polyclinic which integrate the health and social needs of patients.
Under the RELATE programme, Kallang Polyclinic works closely with community partners to develop shared care plans to support elderly patients and their families throughout their care journey. Under the EMBRACEPLUS Programme, vulnerable children aged 0 to 3 years old, from low-income families are identified so that NHGP’s care team can help address health and social issues. (Refer to Annex A for more details of these two programmes).
Adopting Innovative & Automated Solutions: SMARTVacc
Kallang Polyclinic is the first NHG Polyclinic to pilot the use of a fully-automated SMARTVacc or Safety Manpower Productivity Accountability Real Time Analytics Vaccine System which will replace the conventional manual vaccine fridges which are currently used. The SMARTVacc cross-checks the selected vaccine against an in-built image recognition system before dispensing it for administration, thereby reducing the risk of human errors and improving patient safety. The SMARTVacc also allows for live inventory tracking, compared to traditional tracking processes which are manual. Conceptualised by NHGP, this innovative solution looks set to change the way vaccinations are managed in NHG Polyclinics. (Refer to Annex A for more details of the SMARTVacc System).
Partnering Patients & Community: Patient Advisory Council & Food Truck
Kallang Polyclinic is also the first NHG Polyclinic to introduce a Patient Advisory Council (PAC) to help advance NHGP’s patient and family-centred care culture. Council members comprise an invited group of patients, caregivers and volunteers who work together with the clinic management team to enhance the care experience of NHGP patients (Refer to Annex A for more details of the Patient Advisory Council).
In the area of community partnerships, Kallang Polyclinic has partnered Assumption Pathway School (APS) to provide their students with an experiential learning opportunity through operating a Food Truck sited on the polyclinic grounds. The first of its kind in NHGP, the food truck offers a menu which has been specially curated by APS and NHGP’s dietitians to ensure healthier food options are served to customers. (Refer to Annex A for more details of the food truck).
At today’s event, Minister Ong also launched a co-created art mural made up of more than 1,000 hand-painted tile pieces. The mural was collectively put together by Kallang Polyclinic staff and patients, NHGP senior management members, and community partners. Kallang Polyclinic has also collaborated with two schools in the area to display art pieces by students from Northlight School and Hong Wen School on its polyclinic walls. (Refer to Annex A for more details of the art mural and student art pieces).
Moving Care Upstream: Preventive Health & Early Disease Detection and Management
Kallang Polyclinic is designed with features and service offerings catered for preventive health and health promotion. For instance, Kallang Polyclinic patients with chronic conditions will be seen under NHGP’s Teamlet Care Model where, through the formation of strong patient-teamlet bonds, patients are encouraged to undergo health screenings and immunisations to prevent complications. (Refer to Annex A for details of the care model).
To foster a habit of self-monitoring and ownership over one’s health, patients will be able to check their own blood pressure (BP) and Body Mass Index (BMI) at the Self-Help BP kiosks and BMI machines respectively. In addition, a purpose-built Edible Garden on Level 5 grows fresh herbs which the polyclinic care teams can use as examples when advising patients to adopt natural, healthier flavouring options in food preparation. These herbs are also displayed at the Health Studio, a multi-purpose area which can flex to become a space for healthy cooking demonstrations at one moment and a space to display interactive health exhibits at the next (Refer to Annex A for more details of the self-help machines, the Edible Garden and the Health Studio).
Conclusion
Dr Valerie Teo, Family Physician, Consultant, and Head of Kallang Polyclinic shared, “Kallang Polyclinic will strive to provide comprehensive care to improve patients’ overall health outcomes. The team is excited to embark on this new journey of integrated health and social care. We are humbled to be able to contribute to and enhance patient care in this area.”
