Findings from the pilot programme, reported in the Straits Times and in Today Online, also showed that many patients wanted to remain at home, with families reporting satisfaction in being able to support their older relative in avoiding hospital admission. Fifty-three patients, cared for by palliative care-trained nurses, participated in the survey.
Under the programme, elderly patients and their families use advance care planning to work out an appropriate care plan that would allow the patient to be cared for in their home. Care is provided by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses and social workers from the Hua Mei Mobile Clinic. The pilot programme also provided grief counselling and bereavement support to caregivers.
According to reports, the findings from the survey were revealed by Singaporean Minister of State for Health, Amy Khor, at a recent palliative care forum. Dr Khor said: “The Ministry of Health will continue to invest in developing the needed services to improve access, affordability and quality of aged care. Besides infrastructural developments, we are also growing our pool of healthcare professionals to ensure the continued delivery of relevant and high-quality care.”
It is estimated that there are 337 palliative care-trained nurses across the public healthcare sector in Singapore – “the Ministry of Health is committed to expanding the quantity and training of our nurses to support palliative care developments now and in the longer term,” said Dr Khor.
Leave a Reply