Singapore has marked a significant milestone in healthcare with the opening of Woodlands Health, the country’s first integrated acute and community hospital. Located in the heart of Woodlands, this state-of-the-art facility began welcoming its first patients on 22nd December 2023.
About Woodlands Health
Woodlands Health (WH) is designed to provide seamless integration of care within and beyond hospital walls. This 1,800-bedded purpose-built campus comprises a fully integrated acute and community hospital, specialist outpatient clinics, and intermediate and long-term care facilities.
Progressive Opening and Services
The progressive opening of WH is a strategic approach to begin operations for patients requiring rehabilitative and sub-acute care services. Initially, the hospital has opened 40 community hospital beds and offers specialist outpatient services at the Medical Centre for patients with conditions like asthma and diabetes. The allied health team at WH provides comprehensive rehabilitation services, including speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, psychology, nutrition, and dietetics, as well as pharmacy services. The rest of the hospital, including the Emergency Department and acute wards, will progressively open from May 2024.
Advanced Facilities and Technology
WH is at the forefront of leveraging technology to enhance patient care. It is the first public hospital in Singapore to open with the integration of three national IT systems: Next Generation Electronic Medical Record (NGEMR), National Billing System (NBS), and the National Harmonised Integrated Pharmacy System (NHIPS). These systems aim to harmonize workflow, data, and reporting across the public healthcare sector, ultimately improving efficiency and enhancing patient experience.
A Healing Environment
WH is not just about providing medical care; it’s about creating a healing environment. The campus is integrated with the 1.5 ha Woodlands Healing Garden, the National Parks Board’s (NParks) first park purpose-built for healing and its largest therapeutic garden to date. Designed to provide nature-based experiences for mental, emotional, and physical healing and restoration, the garden has four distinct zones catering to different needs.
Community Engagement
WH is actively involved in serving the community through health talks, fitness sessions, health coaching, and community nursing posts. Initiatives like the GPFirst Programme in the North and the first community-based Urgent Care Centre at Kampung Admiralty have been introduced, making urgent care more accessible to residents.
Conclusion
Woodlands Health represents a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery in Singapore. By integrating advanced medical technologies with a focus on holistic healing and community engagement, WH is setting new standards in patient care and wellness. As WH fully opens, it will not only provide top-notch medical services but also enhance the overall health and well-being of the community it serves.
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