The day marks CGH HomeCare Assist day, where staff have symbolically pledged to donate their day's wages towards this patient welfare charity. Changi General Hospital launched HomeCare Assist, the first charity fund by a hospital to help

needy ill or bedridden patients receive quality care at home after discharge on 10 July 2002.

In less than two months, CGH HomeCare Assist has raised $300,000 with the generous help of well wishers and its staff. About half of the amount ie. $135,207 was raised from one month of staff fundraising through staff donations, pledge cards and HCA charity sales. Since July 2002, 15 patients have benefited from CGH HomeCare Assist.

The hospital estimates that there are about 400 patients who will benefit from HomeCare Assist. With assistance amounting to about $1000 per patient per year, HomeCare Assist aims to raise at least $400,000 every year.

HomeCare Assist will complement services already provided by Voluntary Welfare Organisations.

Patients will be referred to the VWOs for long-term support and assistance.
	CGH's House of Hope - each tile on the house represents a donation from our staff.
How does HomeCare Assist help? The hospital's team of social workers, therapists, nurses and doctors will evaluate the needs of each patient and will disburse funds according to the patient's circumstances. This includes: a) Home Modification to make the home more friendly for those who are bedridden or wheelchair bound. These include installing grab bars, providing commodes, converting squatting to sitting toilets, widening of doorways, etc. b) Provision of Medical Equipment such as oxygen concentrators, hospital beds and nebulisers to enable the patients to be cared for at home. c) Purchase of Consummable Supplies such as adult diapers, feeding tubes, milk feeds and dressings that are regularly expended and pose a financial strain on the family. d) Transport Fare incurred for regular attendance at clinics or day care centres.

"The community's support is vital for HomeCare Assist to succeed. We are pleased to have the support of NorthEast CDC as our pioneer partner," said Dr Low Cheng Ooi, Chairman, CGH HomeCare Assist Fundraising Committee.

One resident who benefited from the fund is Ms Jainab Bte Abdullah, 45, has been looking after her mother, Mdm Halimah Bte Abdullah, 68, who was paralysed from a stroke last year. Ms Jainab, a contract worker at a factory, faced financial difficulties in caring for her mother at home. HomeCare Assist is now helping Ms Jainab to buy milkfeeds and diapers for her mother.

Another patient who benefited from the fund is Mr Chua Chuan Chew. Mr Chua, 65, has frequent breathlessness due to his medical condition. His family has been renting an oxygen concentrator which costs $150 every month. Through HomeCare Assist, Mr Chua gets a oxygen concentrator that is loaned tohim free-of-charge and this helps ease the financial strain of his family.

For enquiries about HomeCare Assist, please feel free to call us at Tel: 6850 2730 / 2740, or Fax: 6788 0933. For donations to HomeCare Assist, please send your cheques payable to "CGH HEF A/C" to: