NHGD co-designed, set up, and operates the X-ray facility at St Andrew’s Migrant Worker Medical Centre.
X-RAY FOR ONE-STOP PRIMARY CARE AT MIGRANT WORKER MEDICAL CENTRE
NHGD co-designed and set up an X-ray facility at St Andrew’s Migrant Worker Medical Centre (SAMWMC), in partnership with St Andrew’s Mission Hospital. NHGD radiographers continue to provide X-ray services at the Centre, which caters to the outpatient care for about 57,000 migrant workers living in the surrounding areas.
Officially opened in February 2022, SAMWMC is the first of six regional medical centres planned by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) as part of the new and integrated Primary Care Plan for migrant workers in Singapore. The centres are purpose-built to be pandemic-ready to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
Breast cancer screening at Kallang Polyclinic.
NHGD’s Mobile BMD at Fuchun Community Club in Woodlands.
NHGD’s Mobile BMD at Nee Soon East Community Club in Yishun.
RIGHT-SITING DIAGNOSTIC AND PREVENTIVE SCREENINGS IN THE COMMUNITY
Between November 2020 and March 2022, NHGD expanded its bone mineral density (BMD) service to five new venues in the Central-North region, such as community clubs and sports complexes. BMD tests are important for the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis and risk of bone fracture, especially for Singapore’s elderly population. In 2021, more than 9,000 patients benefitted from the convenience of this service.
In October 2021, NHGD set up a laboratory and imaging centre in Kallang Polyclinic, enabling nearby residents to have easy access to quality diagnostic services, including breast cancer screening, X-rays, and ultrasound.
By increasing its capacity for diagnostic and preventive screenings, NHGD strengthened its support to General Practitioners (GPs) and community partners in providing care to their patients.
SWIFT DELIVERY OF SWABS TO PCR LABORATORIES TO EXPEDITE URGENT TESTING
In October 2021, the Delta variant caused a surge in daily COVID-19 cases, creating the need for urgent swab testing to identify and quarantine positive cases. In response to the Ministry of Health (MOH)’s request, NHGD activated its medical couriers to deliver PCR swabs of ART-positive cases safely and quickly from the polyclinics to the laboratories. By expediting the turnaround time for tests, NHGD enabled patients to receive their PCR results early, which helped stem the community spread of the virus.
SYSTEM ENHANCEMENT FOR LABORATORY ORDER COLLECTION
The collection of laboratory orders from the polyclinic patient electronic management system at NHGP centres was enhanced in 2021. This shortened the pre-phlebotomy processing time by 50 per cent, and also reduced the corresponding wait time for patients.
HANDS-FREE TECHNOLOGY FOR INFECTION CONTROL AND PRODUCTIVITY
In 2021, NHGD implemented the Full Field Digital Mammography (FFDM) system — the first in primary care — designed with hands-free technology for radiation exposure in Kallang Polyclinic. The system uses a foot pedal switch instead of a hand switch to activate the system. By minimising the radiographer’s physical contact with the equipment, the risk of cross-infection to other staff and patients is further reduced.
NHGD also equipped Kallang Polyclinic with a General X-Ray system designed with hands-free technology for equipment control. A foot pedal switch controls the movement and position of the chest stand against the region of interest. Additionally, the system’s new automated tracking feature moves and aligns the X-ray tube with the patient’s position at the chest stand. These two features shortened the contact time between the radiographer and the patient.
