CEO’s Message

A Year of Growth and Transformation

After 31 years at DPH’s old site, we finally pulled up our roots and planted them firmly in our new home at the TTSH Integrated Care Hub (ICH). We needed space to grow, to respond to the unmet national need for hospice care. As much as we loved our old site, we needed new premises to increase Inpatient and our Day Care capacity. This is not just an exercise in increasing space. The three services – Inpatient, Day Care and Home Care – are intimately linked and should be sized relative to one another. Day Care runs palliative rehabilitation, which fortifies patients mentally and physically to be able to avoid an admission. Home Care ensures strong support for patients and families who desire to live as normally as possible in their own environment. Our wards are the haven for respite, for those who can no longer cope with the burden of palliation, and for patients who are alone. We have found a home where we can now push forward to knit together the depth and compassion of the care that we deliver and take more complex patients.

Integration Enables Seamless Care

While it is easy to see brand new spaces as care transformation, the ICH is only one piece of the puzzle. The underlying care model is of greatest importance. We have been blessed this year to receive support from the Ministry of Health for a pilot project that will eventually remove administrative differences of entering a hospice to its wards, Day Care or Home Care services.

We have already seen early gains. Since we began the pilot, twice as many patients are flowing through Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s specialist palliative care ward, in the right direction to begin their palliative care journey - holistic, and patient-centred. Patients with non-cancer conditions seen by palliative care specialists in the hospital increased by 17%. Our Home Care team enabled more than 70% of patients to pass away in comfort in their own homes, compared to a national average of 39%.

A Stronger System of Support for Caregivers

Ever since our survey of 200 family caregivers in 2022-2023, we have worked on the key findings identified as risks for caregivers. The areas where we will continue to focus our support are in respite care, attention to the risk of depression (usually arising from worries of not being able to afford care), practical daily assistance, meeting spiritual needs, and in continuing to build a social identity for caregivers. It is only when you name something that it is recognised. The same is true of caregivers’ efforts and contributions. We resumed our “Coffee Time” support group for caregivers, providing them with a space for respite and connection. Our “Namaste Care” programme is now also a caregivers’ self-care activity, to relieve their day-to-day stress and encourage them to prioritise their well-being.

Programme Achievements and Recognition

In the past year (April 2023 – March 2024), our Home Care team has seen a 10% increase in the number of patient referrals, with a record number of close to 960 patients. Since the launch of our R.I.S.E (Restitutive. Integrative. Supportive. Empowering) Programme in 2021, 34 clients with chronic lung conditions have completed and graduated from our three-month programme. In 2023, our Principal Physiotherapist, Roxanne Foo, presented the RISE programme at the 28th Singapore Palliative Care Conference to share and inspire practice for services in the community.

Together, Forging Ahead

None of this would have been possible without the people of the Dover Park Hospice team, our steadfast volunteers and partners. Their dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence are present every day. As I reflect on this first year, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the trust placed in me and the opportunity to lead such a remarkable organisation. We have achieved much together, and now we are ready to take the next step.

Progress lies outside of our comfort zone, and the people of DPH have shown that they are brave enough to keep finding the best ahead of them - together. I am confident that we will continue to make a difference in the lives of those we serve, with Dignity, Personhood, and Honouring each individual, creating moments that matter for all our stakeholders.

Supporting the Nation

Aligned with the 2023 National Strategy for Palliative Care, Dover Park Hospice has laid stronger foundations for the palliative care community. We have focused on enhancing access, quality, and the care environment by expanding Home Care, integrating services, and leveraging technology, in direct support of the national strategy’s goals. DPH is proud to be at the forefront of this national effort, working collaboratively with other stakeholders to ensure that all individuals with life-limiting illnesses have access to the compassionate and comprehensive care that they deserve.
Penning this message as the Chairman of Dover Park Hospice for the last time, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated Council members, staff, volunteers, donors, and partners. Your unwavering support and commitment have been instrumental in our achievements. As we look ahead, let us continue to innovate, integrate, and expand our services to meet the evolving needs of our patients and their families. Together, we can create moments that matter.