Speech by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, at the Official Opening of Methodist Welfare Services Nursing Home - Yee Tee, 14 November 2018

Dr Chong Chin Chung, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore and Patron of the Methodist Welfare Services

Her Excellency Dorte Bech Vizard, Ambassador of Denmark

Her Excellency Paula Parviainen, Ambassador of Finland

Mr Lawrence Wong, Host Advisor for Limbang Constituency and Minister for National Development

Mr Lew Chee Beng, Chairman, Lew Foundation

Rev Dr Daniel Koh, Chairperson, Methodist Welfare Services Board of Governance

Ms Junie Foo, Group Executive Director, Methodist Welfare Services

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

1.        Good morning. I am happy to join you today to celebrate the official opening of Methodist Welfare Services (or MWS) Nursing Home – Yew Tee. Today’s event marks a significant milestone for MWS.

2.        Indeed, MWS has come a long way since its early beginnings in 1981 to become a multi-service organisation today that manages 19 centres and outreach programmes across Singapore. These centres and programmes help many who are in need, such as disadvantaged children, at-risk youths, distressed families, the destitute, and the frail and socially isolated seniors. I commend MWS’s commitment and dedication in serving Singaporeans in need regardless of their race and religion.

3.        This nursing home is of special meaning to me. Many of you may know that I started this project several years ago when I was still the MP for this area. I must take this opportunity to thank all the grassroots leaders who have helped in talking to the residents and holding many dialogue sessions to take in residents’ feedback. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Mr Lawrence Wong and the Ministry of National Development for the site, with its beautiful landscape, a rail corridor in the backyard and lush greenery surrounding the area.

Making Care More Accessible

4.        We have been working on building an environment that can deliver better care for our seniors. Currently, one in seven Singaporeans is aged 65 years or above. By 2030, this number will grow to around one in four. We must plan ahead and prepare for our rapidly ageing demographics. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been steadily increasing our aged care capacity to support individuals and families to better prepare for the future. We are on track to reach the target of 17,000 nursing home beds, 6,200 day places, and 10,000 home care places as outlined in Healthcare 2020 Masterplan.

5.        MWS has been an important partner in our efforts to improve the accessibility of care to seniors. The opening of the 197-bedded MWS Nursing Home – Yew Tee, which also offers respite care and home care services, is in line with MOH’s development plans under Healthcare 2020.  

6.        One of the beneficiaries is Mr Loi Teck Foo. Mr Loi has been a resident at MWS Nursing Home – Yew Tee since May this year. The nursing home is located near his home at Teck Whye Lane. This allows his wife, Mdm Goh Eng Neo, to visit him daily and to bring home-cooked dishes which he enjoys whenever he misses them. Her visits bring much encouragement and support to Mr Loi.

Improving Quality of Care

7.        Besides building capacity, we also want to improve the quality of care for our seniors. MOH has evolved our nursing home models and designs to create a more comfortable and supportive environment for our residents. MWS Nursing Home – Yew Tee, for example, has a sky garden in every ward. This is in line with MWS’s vision of providing a “home-away-from-home” experience for residents. The living spaces here are decorated to exude a homely and warm atmosphere to encourage family visitation and social interaction among residents. The nursing home also has a full-service kitchen and a rehabilitation gym, among other facilities.

8.        Good care goes beyond just the hardware facilities. Therefore, we are also working with providers to pilot new care models that focus on rehabilitation and improving residents’ readiness to return home. In this regard, MWS adopts a multi-disciplinary team approach that integrates nursing, medical, therapy and social work, focusing on timely interventions and good clinical outcomes. An average of 30 social and recreational activities are organised each month to keep residents physically, socially and mentally engaged.

9.        MWS also recently set up one of its wards with features resembling a home setting for its residents who are more ambulant. In this ward, residents are given the autonomy to perform simple household chores, such as doing laundry and simple cooking. This helps to promote independence and prepare the residents for their eventual return to the community.

10.       Mr Mustaffa bin Jasmi is an example of a resident who has benefitted from the care and treatment provided by this nursing home. Mr Mustaffa suffered a stroke and was admitted into this nursing home in May this year. Through weekly physiotherapy sessions, along with constant encouragement and active monitoring by MWS’s care staff, Mr Mustaffa has achieved significant improvements in his functionality. He is now able to stand and transfer himself between his bed and his wheelchair independently. In addition, MWS assisted Mr Mustaffa to apply for a motorised wheelchair and his occupational therapist has also provided him the necessary rehab so that he can now use it to make use of public transportation. I am very happy to learn that Mr Mustaffa has been successfully discharged last month and he is now back at his home, all thanks to the hard work of the staff of MWS.

Closing

11.       In closing, I would like to congratulate the board of directors, management and staff of MWS on the official opening of MWS Nursing Home – Yew Tee. I thank MWS for your long-standing commitment and dedication in helping those in need over more than three decades. Much of the good work would not have been possible without the support of faithful donors, sponsors, industry partners and volunteers, many of whom are here with us today.

12.       On this note, I wish MWS continued success in pursuing your mission and in helping those in need.

Thank you.