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Home About CGH Hospital Overview CGH 90th Anniversary Together, We Flourish: 90 Years of Innovative Care 24/7 Care in Full Bloom

24/7 Care in Full Bloom

Synonym(s):

 

Hospitals operate in complex environments 24 hours a day, seven days a week, juggling diverse patient demands and critical care needs. Round the clock, Changi General Hospital’s (CGH) vitality and purpose shine through our people’s resourcefulness and dedication to elevating patient experience. Tireless heroes behind the scenes make sure those on the frontline are well-equipped to deliver the best care possible when called upon – on routine ward rounds or in medical emergencies where swift actions matter most.

CONSTANT VIGILANCE ACROSS THE FIELDS

Doctors, nurses, allied health and pharmacy professionals, operations staff, and support services work around the clock to maintain vital hospital functions. From ensuring treatments begin without delay to safeguarding the hospital environment, disinfecting surfaces, and transporting patients and equipment, these dedicated teams provide the essential foundation that enables seamless patient care.

24/7 care also means we never stop improving. From kitchens to operating theatres, teams continually innovate and refresh technologies, facilities and processes to meet the evolving needs of patients and deliver quality care. Our ongoing sustainability efforts ensure future generations and our planet benefit too.

These are the living roots of 24/7 care. Invisible yet indispensable, ordinary in appearance but extraordinary in impact.


Joseph Lim, Patient Relations Officer (top), safeguards the hospital campus, while Nur Farah Amira Jumari, Staff Nurse (bottom), works tirelessly with her team even through public holidays and festive occasions.

Ready where seconds count


The CGH Emergency Department serves as the ‘front doors’ of the hospital, where many patients first come in through the hospital in need of urgent care.

For residents of eastern Singapore, CGH’s Emergency Department (ED) is the go-to for urgent medical assistance. Here, a multi-disciplinaryteam triages patients and provides critical emergency services, delivering speedy, accurate diagnoses and evidence-based treatments.

Our ED sees one of the highest volumes of patients in Singapore. Our emergency care team remains alert and ready every hour of every day, prepared to meet diverse patient needs. This ensures we can effectively support our community whenever urgent care is required.

To maintain this constant state of readiness, emergency medical teams regularly participate in full-dress simulation drills devoted to the crucial early minutes when the chance of recovery is highest. Day to day, our ED care team applies broad clinical knowledge and skills to perform resuscitation and critical care, orthopaedic and minor surgical procedures, and manage a wide range of acute, emergency and critical conditions.

Swift response is strengthened with resources to simultaneously triage multiple cases of varying severity, making quick, precise assessments and critical decisions on lifesaving care. This enables our ED to provide prompt care during crises, disasters and pandemics, serving residents 24/7 without fail.

Easing emergencies

A visit to the ED can be daunting, but the friendly smiles of our care team bring warmth, comfort and assurance.

Warmly serving patients is Nennie Fadillah Hasnawi, Senior Patient Service Associate Executive. One thing Nennie enjoys more than meeting people is helping them. “When patients cometo the ED, they are often lost and anxious,” she shares. “I find fulfilment in being able to answer their questions, address their concerns, and set their minds at ease.”


Nennie Fadillah Hasnawi, Senior Patient Service Associate Executive, guides patients and next-of-kin in the ED, and diffuses challenging situations in a firm but positive manner.

Since joining CGH as a screening officer during SARS, she has blossomed into a team leader, winning awards along the way by helping patients receive medical care with peace of mind.

When CGH created the Transit Place, a waiting area designed to provide comfort and put patients at ease while awaiting admission, Nennie was among the first patient service associates to be deployed there – a testament to her reassuring way with people.

“I believe my work is important in providing patients with some comfort and clarity in what may be a time of anxiety and confusion for them,” she says.


While Dr Sarajane Co, Resident Physician, provides emergency care in the critical moments that count, Assistant Nurse Clinician Camelia Wee attends to a patient’s intravenous drip in the CGH ED resuscitation room, where lifethreatening conditions receive immediate intensive care.

Healing in a heartbeat

Patients rest easy knowing there are teams of doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists trained to resuscitate and treat patients whose conditions suddenly and rapidly worsen. When activated, the Medical Emergency Team (MET) and Code Blue responders arrive in minutes. Their work is deliberate and precise, helped by flawless coordination and communication sharpened through regular team simulation drills. Together, they are the hospital’s safety net that brings comfort to patients and staff alike.


In the ED’s triage area, Assistant Nurse Clinician Camelia Wee conducts a patient assessment as Dr Sarajane Co, Resident Physician, Emergency Department, reviews test results.

CATCHING EMERGENCIES EARLY

The MET, formed in 2009, is activated when a patient in the wards shows early signs of deterioration. The impact of their early interventions has been profound, resulting in a reduction of in hospital mortality rates and unplanned ICU admissions.

For Nurse Clinician Mashithah Binte Mansor, a proud member of the MET, teamwork is the root of success: “Every member ofthe healthcare team is empowered to call the MET when a patient’s condition deteriorates. As one healthcare team, we work together to deliver care that matters to our patients.” Her words capture the spirit of vigilance and shared responsibility that runs through CGH.

 

FIRST RESPONDERS TO CRISES

The Code Blue team completes CGH’s rapid response system. A ‘code blue’ activation mobilises a multidisciplinary team for immediate bedside resuscitation on patients in cardiac or respiratory arrest. They coordinate airway management, chest compressions, defibrillation and emergency medications, maximising the chance of survival and recovery.

Certified in Basic Cardiac Life Support and equipped with competencies gained from the Life Support Course for Nurses, CGH’s Code Blue nurses combine expertise, skill and critical thinking to stabilise patients quickly.

They sustain readiness through regular multidisciplinary simulation drills with physicians and facilitators using high-fidelity mannequins. These realistic exercises sharpen team communication, role clarity, and procedural accuracy, improving real-world performance and reflecting our commitment to patient safety and excellence in emergency care.

Ensuring quality care from the inside out

Our medical teams excel because facilities, equipment and services are always optimised to support care. These heroes are among the many who make sure of it.

With attentiveness and calm, Patient Relations Officer Joseph Lim patrols the hospital, expertly navigating situations and de-escalating tensions to ensure a safe environment for colleagues to care for patients. While keeping the peace, Joseph also looks out for those in need of assistance or a wheelchair. “To me, the most satisfying aspect of being a Patient Relations Officer is being able to help patients or visitors resolve their issues, no matter how big or small,” shares Joseph.

Biomedical Engineer Saidah Naqiyah is one of the ‘gatekeepers’ who test and maintain the hospital’s thousands of medical equipmentand certify them safe for use. Overseeing the radiology equipment, making sure the machines and facilities comply with the necessary standards for the safety of patients and radiographers drives her. “What inspires me is knowing that the medical equipment we manage directly impacts the wellbeing of our patients.”

GIVING THEIR ALL, EVEN ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Singapore celebrates festive occasions and public holidays with peace of mind knowing that special people are keeping care seamless atCGH.

Doing her shift on National Day, Principal Radiographer Teo Shi Yun is reminded of her vital role in the community’s wellbeing. With each expertly taken radiographic image, she captures CGH’s commitment to prompt, accurate diagnosis and care, 24/7.  “I feel exceptionally proud to be able to serve the nation by caring for our patients,” she beams, happy to catch parts of the parade as the team celebrates over potluck on their break.


(top and bottom) Behind every accurate diagnosis and safe procedure, biomedical engineers such as Saidah Naqiyah and radiographers such as Teo Shi Yun work tirelessly to maintain high standards for hospital equipment and patient wellbeing.

Although Staff Nurse Nur Farah Amira Jumari had to miss the Hari Raya festivities at home, she is happy to serve. On duty in the orthopaedic ward, she helps patients awaiting or recuperating from surgery with minor surgical procedures, medication and more. Patients’ appreciation always makes her day. “It’s very hearteningwhen my patients and their family members express their gratitude to me and my colleagues working over the holidays and wish us ‘Selamat Hari Raya’!”

The Deepavali long weekend may mean an extended workday for Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist Cherlyn Gan and her colleagues, with fewer staff on roster. Even so, they continue to run the Clinical Laboratory, knowing their work is critical for accurate diagnoses and timely treatment. “There can be no compromise on patient care,” she explains. “Your concentration and efficiency run beyond 100%.” To hear patients are doing well is immensely gratifying for her, and a public holiday well spent.

FOR THIS MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST, HEALTHIER LIVES ARE THE RESULTS THAT MATTER

Lee Yu Ting
Medical Laboratory Scientist, Laboratory

“It feels good to know that the laboratory team has an important role in helping patients on their road to recovery,” shares Medical Laboratory Scientist, Lee Yu Ting. Whether the tests are to identify microorganisms or antibiotic susceptibility (microbiology), types of tumours (histopathology) or aid in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of diseases (clinical laboratory), knowledge of the critical importance of their work in diagnoses and treatment drives Yu Ting and her teammates to process tests and release results promptly. This is easier said than done, as CGH’s laboratory receives thousands of samples for testing each day.


Lee Yu Ting loading test samples into a centrifuge machine.

Personally, Yu Ting handles hundreds of samples daily. In addition, as a senior member of the team, she oversees training, workflow planning, operations and cross-department projects. She and her colleagues rotate between different shifts to keep the laboratory running 24/7.

Yu Ting and her colleagues constantly seek ways to improve efficiency and have come up with workflow innovations and quality improvement projects. For example, the Clinical Laboratory team replaced the serum separator tube with a plasma separator tube, significantly shortening the processing time for majority of the clinical tests, and improving turnaround time for test results. The Microbiology team developed a self-designed excel sheet to generate labels from a unique label printer, reducing the need for handwritten labels, and boosting efficiency during the testing process.

Yu Ting recently revamped a workflow system to streamlined digital processes, making information more accessible to the team. This initiative enhances efficiency and improves productivity across the CGH labs.

Complementing the power of technology are caring colleagues who look out for one another, both in work and personal endeavours.


Lee Yu Ting with her colleague examining test samples under the microscope.

“Work is important, but personal relationships are equally valuable. We care deeply about the wellbeing of every team member and celebrate the ups and downs of each one.”

Lee Yu Ting, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Laboratory

The dedication and camaraderie that Yu Ting shares with her colleagues enhances the family-oriented culture at the laboratory, and is the essence of CGH as the Caring General Hospital.

Recovering in comfort

CGH has more than a thousand beds distributed across various wards catered for specific needs. Alongside general wards are specialised units for patients who require help in breathing, have mobility limitations due to orthopaedic or spine-related conditions, or are undergoing dialysis.


Norfadhila Bte Abdul Rahman, Patient Service Associate Executive, Bed Management Unit (BMU), with colleagues from the Emergency Department (ED) Nursing and Operations teams.

“Together with my team, we coordinate with multiple departments and balance urgent requests for beds. We also manage patients who need to transfer out, and balance emergency patients with those who require step-down care from the wards.”

Norfadhila Bte Abdul Rahman, Patient Service Associate Executive, Bed Management Unit

Coordinating this system to place patients in the right environment for their recovery is Norfadhila Bte Abdul Rahman, Patient Service Associate Executive, Bed Management Unit (BMU). As a leader of the BMU team, Norfadhila embodies round-the-clock care by being available to support her team even beyond her working hours, offering guidance and ensuring smooth operations for hospital beds.

“There is no fixed approach when it comes to booking patients into specialised wards, as each case is different. Much of what we do is learned through hands-on experience,” she shares. Indeed, Norfadhila has ensured patients get beds made for their needs since 2015. “Sometimes patients go upto the ward faster, not by luck, but because the right bed was available for their specific condition.”

With patients comfortably settled in wards that are equipped to address their specific needs, medical staff can confidently deliver optimal care.

SPACES DESIGNED FOR HEALING

Twenty-four/seven care is more than simply tendingto patients through the night. As Project Manager of Facilities Development involved in the upcoming remodelling of CGH’s Main Building, Lydiawati Ahmat ensures works are carefully planned and carried out so medical staff can also fulfill their duties efficiently during operational hours.

She phases the renovations to minimise disruption to hospital operations. This requires extensive planning based on athorough understanding of the roles and processes of the care team. “I work with doctors and nurses to identify the critical workflows, patient flows, safety concerns and operational constraints that must be considered in the project schedule,” she explains.


Lydiawati Ahmat, Project Manager, Facilities Development, discussing the remodelling and engineering plans with her colleagues.

In addition to optimising the functionality of the spaces, Lydiawati’s attention to detail facilitates quicker completion. Together with architects and engineers and through collaboration with the Facilities Management team, she ensures that newly installed systems integrate seamlessly with existing system infrastructure. She also works with CGH biomedical engineers to ensure that the floor loading is sufficient to house the medical equipment.

Although her official work hours end at six in the evening, Lydiawati makes herself available after hours to resolve issues. At the end of the day, it is all worth it. “It makes me proud to see my project when it’s completed, knowing that I have played a role in ensuring comfortable facilities for patients to recover in and efficient spaces for CGH staff to work in,” she shares.

Sustenance for patients and the planet

At the heart of CGH’s 24/7 care is its Food Services team dedicated to serving sustainable, delicious meals. These culinary professionals pull out all the stops in the kitchen to make sure dishes are packed with the nourishment that patients need for a full and smooth recovery.

A team of executive chefs and cooks lovingly feed patients and staff, preparing meals that range from general fare to therapeutic and texture-modified diets that meet individual recovery requirements. They also spread warmth and joy during festive periods by recreating healthier versions of traditional recipes with sprinkles of thoughtfulness and care.

Meals are also planned with the environment in mind. Leftover ingredients are transformed into new delicious dishes. For example, the team uses browned bananas to make banana cakes, while bread ends are repurposed into pizza and bread pudding. Measures like these have reduced food waste each year from239,568kg to around 96,000kg.

Assistive technologies such as automated kitchen equipment let the team cook large volumes of food with less manual labour. Plated meals are then loaded onto automated guided vehicles (AGV) to be delivered to the wards. This enables the team to provide up to 3,600 meals to patients and staff each day, sustenance for a hospital that never sleeps.


The CGH Food Services team is dedicated to serving sustainable, nutritious and delicious meals.

THE TEAM THAT FEEDS JOY

In the hospital kitchen, chefs such as Junior Sous Chef See Kiew Wah often work when the rest of Singapore celebrates. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, he and his colleagues prepare special meals that carry the warmth of home into the wards. Balancing nutrition with flavour, they ensure that even patients on therapeutic diets can share in the festivities. For Kiew Wah, these efforts go beyond duty. “Food can bring comfort and joy. Even in hospital, we want patients to feel they are not missing out on the festivities.” His words capture the essence of care expressed not through medicine, but through food that nourishes both body and spirit.

Letting the environment blossom

At CGH, caring for people and the planet go hand in hand. Since 2002, waste heat from air-conditioning systems has been converted into hot water for over 800 patients daily, saving 1,300 MWh of energy annually – enough to power 270 households for a month – and reducing our yearly carbon emissions by 500 tonnes.

Solar panels crown the Medical Centre and Integrated Building rooftops, generating 6,996KWh energy, with plans underway to optimise rooftop spaces forexpanded solar capacity. Over 25 years, this green energy will prevent 4,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

We also partner with recycling companies to recycle medical plastics such as plastic circuits, sterile packaging and equipment packaging into other plastic products including a table and chair set for the hospital. Rainwater harvesting supplements NEWater for irrigation, helping 400 trees – including cheerful ‘Happiness Trees’ – flourish across our campus.

These efforts have earned the Medical Centre and Integrated Building the BCA Green Mark Platinum recognition for achievements in significant energy and water savings while optimising natural ventilation, reflecting CGH’s dedication to safeguarding the environment 24/7.

As part of our sustainability efforts, recycling is carried out hospital-wide, while upcycling is also encouraged, such as turning old scrubs into reuseable operating theatre caps.

TURNING FOOD WASTE INTO WATER

Sustainability through innovation extends to the kitchen. Here, food waste is ‘digested’ by a cutting-edge, closed-loop recycling system that uses enzymes and naturally occurring microbes to accelerate the aerobic decomposition process for byproducts like fruit peel and loose vegetable leaves. Together, the recycling system effectively processes around 96,000kg of food waste a year, producing non-potable water as a byproduct that can be recycled back into the machine for its flushing system or used to clean floors.

Since its launch in 2017, CGH’s foodwaste recycling initiative has recycled more than 520 tonnes of food waste. For the project team, it is more than a process – it is a chance to support CGH’s wider commitment to a greener, healthier hospital, where every individual effort contributes to lasting change.


The CGH Sustainability Committee.

Sustainability practices for a clean and green hospital

At CGH, caring for people and the planet go hand in hand. Since 2002, waste heat from air-conditioning systems has been converted into hot water for over 800 patients daily, saving 1,300 MWh of energy annually – enough to power 270 households for a month – and reducing our yearly carbon emissions by 500 tonnes.


Dr Michelle Tan (right), Staff Physician, Department of Anaesthesia & Surgical Intensive Care, prepares a nitrous oxide cylinder as part of efforts to reduce environmental impact in operating theatres.

This puts the hospital on track to be desflurane-freeby January 2026. Dr Joanne Yeo, Consultant and Dr Michelle Tan, Staff Physician from the Departmentof Anaesthesia & Surgical Intensive Care, who are also on CGH’s Committee of Sustainability, spearhead ground-up efforts to encourage more sustainable practices at the hospital. This data-driven work –in collaboration with the perioperative, nursing, pharmacy, data analytics, environmental services, operations and facility management team – underpins CGH’s commitment to reducing carbon footprint without compromising patient care. Our work also aligns with SingHealth’s broader goal of embedding sustainability into every corner of healthcare.

Another anaesthetic gas with high environmental impact is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. The anaesthetists’ initiative to switch from a nitrousoxide manifold distribution system to portablec ylinders connected directly to anaesthetic machinesh as reduced leakage of the gas to the atmosphere, thus reducing nitrous oxide wastage by 94% or over 400 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

SMALL CHANGES WITH BIG IMPACT

The anesthesia department also addressed the environmental and financial impact of intravenous (IV) paracetamol. With evidence that paracetamol taken orally is equally effective, they led the implementation of a premedication programme that saved about 3,000 bottles annually, halved CO₂ emissionsand reduced IV packaging, tubing and plastic components.

Across departments, staff recycle wherever possible. CGH also drives sustainability efforts in other areas. The hospital’s in-house sewing department upcycles old hospital scrubs into reusable operating theatre caps for surgical teams. Batteries minimally used to power disposable surgical pulsed lavage devices are repurposed for sanitiser dispensers or distributed to collection points around the hospital for staff to pick and reuse.

Through CGH’s collaborative sharing of these best practices, other hospitals are rolling out similar projects in operating theatres across the island.

“Big companies, even big hospitals, are made up of individuals. Every little action by every individual is what creates change or action in these big companies,”

Helena Tan, Director, Department of Infrastructure & Engineering Sustainability

These initiatives are more than operational tweaks. As the Caring General Hospital and a clean and green one, it makes sense to care for the environment that sustains life, even as we give our best to heal patients. Whether it is recycling, implementing green technology or refining processes to be more resource-efficient, every effort, big or small, helps CGH to sustain 24/7 care for future generations and our planet.


Dr Joanne Yeo, Consultant, Department of Anaesthesia & Surgical Intensive Care, conducts a consultation with a patient as part of the oral paracetamol premedication programme..

Find out how CGH mitigates nitrous oxide leaks in the operating theatre, to reduce reduce wastage and reduce CO₂ emissions!

Find out how the switch from intravenous (IV) paracetamol to oral paracetal can reduce the evironmental and financial impact!

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Collabor-EIGHT: Where Care Intertwines →

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