New hospice location offers expanded care services and a more advanced healthcare environment for patients.
Dover Park Hospice Opens New Chapter in Larger, More Advanced Facility
In a significant move, Dover Park Hospice has relocated to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital-Integrated Care Hub (TTSH-ICH), offering its patients a better-equipped and larger space for their palliative care needs. The shift, completed on Oct 30, 2023, was prompted by the hospice’s growing services and the increasing demand for both inpatient and outpatient care.
Among the first patients to experience the move was Yang Tsin Hoong, a 72-year-old man with terminal illness. His reaction to the new facility was heartwarming: “My bed is now next to a large window with a view of greenery, a huge improvement over the noisy and hot spot I had before,” he shared.
The transition was smooth, with 21 inpatients moved within two hours, and efforts were made to ensure that all patients were well enough to handle the relocation. Mervyn Koh, the medical director, expressed relief that no critical patients needed to stay behind.
The new facility offers improved accommodations, with 70 beds for daycare services, a significant increase from the 50 beds at the previous location. This move comes as the hospice seeks to expand its capacity to serve the growing needs of the community, especially given Singapore’s aging population.
The new hospice at TTSH-ICH is technologically advanced, offering a more structured and monitored environment that is appreciated by patients and their families. Liew Li Lian, the CEO of Dover Park Hospice, emphasized that this new chapter will allow for more comprehensive palliative care to meet the evolving demands of patients with both cancer and non-cancer conditions like advanced dementia and organ failure.
One notable feature of the new premises is a sky garden, providing a peaceful outdoor space for patients. In a symbolic move, even the koi fish from the old hospice will be relocated to the new pond in the sky garden. However, the relocation means that Betty, the hospice’s beloved community cat, will stay behind, as cats are not permitted in the new sterile environment. Dedicated staff and local feeders will continue to care for Betty at the previous location.
The relocation highlights Singapore’s commitment to aging-in-place care and the increasing role of palliative services in long-term care for the elderly. The move is seen as a crucial step in ensuring that palliative care is accessible and meets the high standards expected by patients and their families.
