Mr Chua Thian Poh, Chairman of the Management Committee,
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
I am glad to be here at this official opening of the new Ren Ci Community Hospital. Ren Ci has an impressive track record over 15 years of compassionate giving and helping the needy sick, and this has earned much respect and goodwill among Singaporeans.
In Singapore, Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) have long played an important role in helping to care for the less fortunate. These charities were founded on a selfless aspiration to help the needy. Their unconditional giving has provided a personal touch to care for the sick.
Volunteers and donors play an important role in this process. Besides establishing a close and knitted relationship with the patients, many volunteers also help in fundraising. Donors, comprising various individuals from all walks of life and diverse background, and companies, help the VWOs to raise funds on top of the subventions given by the Government, to provide community care and to upgrade their facilities and services.
In the recent past, there has been much focus and discussion on the management and corporate governance of the charity sector. By and large, our charities are doing a good job. But more can be done and charities should proactively seek out ways to improve their governance. Good governance and accountability are vital to assure the public, the fundraisers and the donors that funds raised from the public are channelled to proper use and patient care. I am happy to note that Ren Ci, under the new leadership of its Chairman Mr Chua, the Board and the Management, has done well in raising the standard of governance and regaining the trust of its stakeholders.
Ren Ci has now grown to be a major VWO. With the new Community Hospital, it has a total of 661 beds, providing medical, nursing and allied health care to Singaporeans regardless of race and religion. Today's opening of the new community hospital marks a key milestone not only for Ren Ci, but also for the development of integrated healthcare.
Singapore has a good healthcare system, providing universal healthcare to all Singaporeans at an affordable cost. But as our population ages, we will need to gear up to better serve the healthcare needs of the seniors. We have been effective in treating the acutely ill. Our acute hospitals provide a high standard of clinical care, equal to some of the best in the world. We will continue to invest in them so that they can keep pace with medical progress. However, acute hospitals may not always be the most appropriate setting for most elderly patients with long-term conditions.
We are therefore beefing up the capacity and professional capability of the community healthcare sector, where the less acute patients with long term care needs can be better served. As such patients will need frequent transfers between acute hospitals and long term care providers, we also need to integrate the various healthcare services, so that patients can move seamlessly across the care settings.
The new Ren Ci community hospital is an example of how the new model of healthcare delivery can be effected to benefit such patients with long term care needs. It is sited next to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Patients whose acute medical condition has stabilised but still not well enough to return home can be transferred from Tan Tock Seng Hospital to Ren Ci. The two hospitals are connected by a bridge, to facilitate patient movement. This way, patients get better clinical care and also save money.
This collaboration project is given top priority by the leadership of both Ren Ci and Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Tan Tock Seng Hospital helps to build up Ren Ci’s capabilities. Medical records are shared. There is a Joint Clinical Governance Committee to oversee the collaboration. The common objective is to provide the patients with a seamless experience. We would replicate more such collaborations between the acute hospital and their community hospital partners.
Ren Ci Hospital has a strong management team, and is doing good work. I would like to encourage members of the public and companies to continue supporting Ren Ci. Your contributions of time and money will enable Ren Ci to focus on its primary mission of providing healthcare to its patients.
In conclusion, let me congratulate the Board, Management and staff of Ren Ci Hospital on the official opening of your new community hospital. I must also commend you for the 15 years of rendering care to the community, serving and helping the less fortunate in our midst. My appreciation too goes to the donors and the volunteers who make Ren Ci a resounding success.
It is now my great pleasure to declare open the new Ren Ci Community Hospital.
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