National Skin Centre 2014 Corporate Review

dedicationNational Skin Centre 2014 Corporate Review

Celebrating 25 years of Excellence in Dermatology and Venereology

dedication[ded-i-key-shuh n] the quality of being committed to a task or purpose

Enjoying your outdoor activities. Walking with your head up high. Talking to people with confidence. Smiling that radiant smile. Nobody knew you had a history with skin conditions and that you had taken an active step to have it cured.

The National Skin Centre celebrates its 25th anniversary with the theme “dedication” in this year’s Corporate Review. Everyone has the right to be healthy and beautiful! And here at National Skin Centre, all of us work together, with one heart, dedicated to allow you to have healthier skin.

VisionAdding years of healthy life.

MissionOur Mission is to be the National and Regional centre of excellence for the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases. We are committed to provide cost-effective and specialised care of skin conditions in a setting of clinically relevant research, quality education and patient safety.

GoalsOur goal is to achieve excellence in all services offered by the Centre.

For our PATIENTS, to provide the highest standard of dermatological care to meet their needs in a caring, compassionate, cost-effective and safe manner.

For our STAFF, we will strive to provide an environment in which they can work in confidence and dignity and to improve themselves according to their individual ability and initiative.

The National Skin Centre will strive to achieve its Mission and Goals in keeping with the highest moral, ethical, and professional standards.

Content

1. Our Vision, Mission & Goals

2. Director’s Message

3. Coming to NSC was the turnaround in my psoriasis journey Mr Wong Foot Keng, Patient

4. If I were to choose again, I would choose NSC from the start Mr Lawrence Quek, Senior Manager, Support Services

5. NSC Highlights 2014

6. I feel happy when I see patients leaving NSC for the last time Ms Neo Xue Qi, Staff Nurse

7. Review of Departments and Committees • CareandCounsellingDepartment • ClinicOperationsDepartment • CommissioningSecretariat • DepartmentofSTIControl • LaboratoryDepartment • ManagementInformationandTechnologyOffice • NursingDepartment • PharmacyDepartment • QualityDepartment • SupportServicesDepartment • InfectionControlCommittee • QualityandAuditCommittee • MedicalAuditCommittee

8. Medical Education

9. Research Report

10. Medical Staff

11. Statistics 2014

12. Board & Key Committees 2014

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Director’s Message

Over the last 25 years, NSC has built up considerable expertise and a comprehensive range of subspecialty services, and served about 80% of dermatology outpatients in Singapore. This has firmly established our positioning as a reputable dermatology centre in Singapore and the region.

Research has been identified as our next strategic thrust that will enable NSC to achieve our 2025 vision of a World Class Dermatology Centre. We have developed a long-term plan that has prioritised high quality, clinically relevant research to advance dermatological knowledge, impact clinical services and distinguish NSC as a leader in the research into skin diseases. Amongst the many initiatives that have been started in recent years are the research programmes in atopic eczema, autoimmune skin diseases, pigmentary skin diseases, skin cancer and various infrastructural initiatives to support research such as the BioBank launched in May 2014.

We are proud to be the first outpatient medical centre in Asia Pacific to be awarded HIMSS Stage 6 of the Primary Care Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (PC-EMRAM). The award places NSC among the select group of world-class primary care facilities that have successfully deployed and adopted a high level of health Information Technology to significantly improve quality of care and patient safety.

Charity work is in the DNA of NSC’s work ethic and we have a strong commitment to giving back to society. In the spirit of public service, we raised $50,000 towards a tattoo removal programme for ex-drug offenders of Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA).

In patient care development, photo identification was introduced to further strengthen the process of ascertaining the correct patient. This is a significant milestone in enhancing patient safety. Accurately identifying our patients ensures that the correct patient receives the care intended for him or her and that NSC’s healthcare team has the correct medical records to review and document the care received. This additional feature supplements the main patient identifiers using the patient’s name and identification card number.

2014 ended on a high note with NSC’s 25th Anniversary Open House which hosted the public who attended education talks given by our Centre’s doctors and pharmacists. Educational booths manned by our clinical staff gave the visitors a better understanding on common skin conditions including tips on quitting smoking and sun protection. It was a well-timed occasion to educate the public with a deeper insight into various skin conditions and better understanding on good skincare.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our NSC staff and supporters for their continuous support throughout these illustrious 25 years. I certainly hope that NSC will continue working together as one and rise to meet new challenges even as we strive to improve productivity and care delivery for our patients and the population in the years to come.

A/Prof Tan Suat HoonDirector, NSC

Director’s Message

National Skin Centre 2014 Corporate Review04 •

Feature

Coming to NSC was the turnaround in my psoriasis journeyPsoriasis treatment has not always been easy and fuss-free for Mr Wong Foot Keng. The 66 year-old remembered lugging home hefty tubs of coal tar from the clinic about 20 years ago, when the topical ointment was the most common form of treatment for the chronic skin condition. It was not until Mr Wong was referred to NSC in 2000, where his battle with psoriasis took a significant step forward. He was started on weekly ultraviolet (UV) light treatment. Since then, his condition improved considerably and now he only comes in for phototherapy before long trips abroad to avoid potential flare ups.

Mr Wong has nothing but fond affection for the team in Phototherapy clinic. He said, “The doctors and nurses [in Phototherapy clinic] not only know you by name, they make you feel like you matter. There is a sense of belonging there, and it helps me to open up about my condition.”

Currently the Vice-President of the Psoriasis Association, Mr Wong works closely with Senior Consultant Dr Colin Theng and Nurse Clinician Sister Tan Yoke Choo, who are also part of the association, in helping to raise public awareness of the condition. He lauds NSC staff for their dedication and support in helping to host meetings or lending assistance to their events.

He said, “Without NSC’s help, it would have been difficult for Psoriasis patients to learn that we are not alone in our suffering, and to have the strength and courage to face the world. Thumbs up to the dedicated doctors, nurses and staff of NSC for your unwavering support!”

Mr Wong Foot Keng, Patient

Feature

National Skin Centre 2014 Corporate Review06 • National Skin Centre 2014 Corporate Review • 07

NSC Highlights 2014

NSC 25th AnniversaryOpen House NSC celebrated 25 years of excellence by providing the public with a deeper insight into various skin conditions and better understanding on good skincare at the 25th Anniversary Open House, held on 29 November 2014.

Informative talks were given by our Centre’s doctors and pharmacists on topics such as hair loss, pigmentation and acne, looking radiant and youthful.

Educational booths manned by our clinical staff gave the visitors a better understanding on common skin conditions including healthy living tips on quitting smoking and sun protection. Visitors were also given the chance to tour the Mandalay Laser Clinic for a first-hand look at the laser machines used for treatments such as tattoo removal and scar lightening.

Basic Eye Screening Service for Immuno-Dermatology PatientsNSC introduced a basic eye screening service by trained nurses for patients starting Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®) in March 2014. Hydroxychloroquine is a medication prescribed to treat some skin conditions including cutaneous lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis and other light sensitive skin diseases. As long term use is associated with the risk of retinal damage, patients who are started on hydroxychloroquine must undergo baseline eye examination by ophthalmogists at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). Senior Staff Nurse Priscilla Tan, who has an advanced Diploma in Ophthalmology, is in charge of providing in-house training for this service, which entails 6-monthly checks over a five year period for visual acuity, screening for maculopathy using the red-on-black Amsler chart and colour vision screening. Patients with abnormalities detected during basic eye screening will be referred back to the ophthalmologist.

New Services and Facilities

NSC launches new Photo Identification Service Since April 2014, all new patients who register for the first time at the clinics at NSC have had their photographs taken by Patient Service Associates to be stored as part of their confidential medical records. This new service is a significant milestone in enhancing patient safety through accurate patient identification. Accurately identifying patients ensures that the correct patient receives the care intended for him or her and that NSC’s healthcare team has the correct medical records to review and document that care received. In addition, this initiative will guard against medical identity theft, which occurs when a person fraudulently uses someone else’s name or parts of their identity to obtain medical care or medication.

NSC Highlights 2014

If I were to choose again, I would choose NSC from the start.When Mr Lawrence Quek first came on board NSC as a Facilities Manager in 1991, he did not imagine that he would be spending the next 24 years here. Previously an engineer in a construction firm, he found NSC’s goals similar to his own in the form of a balanced and supportive work culture.

“I value NSC for the stability it provides, and the reassuring acknowledgement of the work you have done. If I could choose again, I would have chosen this job from the start.” he said.

Currently the Senior Manager of Support Services with three departments reporting to him – Materials Management, Medical Records Office and Facilities Management, Mr Quek credits the longevity and progress of his career to camaraderie among his team members and support from the management.

Despite his years spent here, Mr Quek believes that dedication cannot be measured in quantity but rather, in the quality of your work. “There is a misconception that if you work in a place for a few years, you are not dedicated. I think that is not correct; dedication depends on the amount of effort you put into your work in that few years,” he said.

It boils down to having the right attitude. “No matter what industry or job, you just have to adopt the right attitude and go with it,” he finished.

Mr Lawrence Quek, Senior Manager, Support Services

NSC Highlights 2014


NSC Highlights 2014

Case-Based Learning for Medical OfficersCase-Based Learning, a new monthly teaching programme was launched in June 2014 to address the absence of dermatology teaching at the medical officers’ level, aims to develop MOs’ understanding of disease presentation and management, as well as hone their critical thinking skills. These hour-long lunchtime sessions give the medical officers an opportunity to bring up memorable cases they encountered in their clinics and share the lessons they learnt with one another. Topics which have been discussed include the approach to patients with deformed nails, perplexing pigmentary changes and even medico-legal aspects of practice. The sessions are also attended by their consultant supervisors who lead the discussion around the cases presented.

Training and Education

MOH HMDP Visiting Expert- Prof Detlef ZilikensIn 2014, NSC had the privilege of hosting Prof Detlef Zilikens, Chairman of the Department of Dermatology in the University of Lübeck, Germany, from 7 to 14 May 2014. An expert in autoimmune blistering diseases, Prof Zilikens lectured on a range of topics, which included pathogenesis of Pemphigus diseases, dermatitis herpetiformis, lupus erythematosus and dermatomyositis.

Prof Zilikens (centre, in black blazer) with our doctors.

Quality Day 2014 – Transcending Boundaries, Together as NSCHeld on 29 October 2014, NSC Quality Day - an annual event that aims to promote continued improvement in the corporate culture - kicked off with lunch-time game booths set up for staff to reminisce childhood fun and alleviate work stress. The ceremony begun with the Centre’s Director A/Prof Tan Suat Hoon highlighting the key quality initiatives and projects accomplished in the past year. This followed with the awards ceremony for NSC staff winners of the NHG Excellence in Action (EIA) Individual awards and the NSC Service Champion Awards. Both Senior Consultant A/Prof Mark Tang and Staff Nurse Ahmad Shufi were given the top Superstar Award for their outstanding service to patients.

Quality Manager, Mr Eric Goh introduced a sneak peek of the Quality@NSC book, a commemoration of key quality milestones and projects from the past 25 years. As a fitting end to the ceremony, A/Prof Tan and Senior Consultant Prof Roy Chan unveiled a large puzzle collage depicting these key milestones.

Quality Improvement

DSC receives Red Ribbon AwardDuring the 9th AIDS Conference held on 4 November 2014, our Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic (DSC) was presented with the Red Ribbon Award for its invaluable contribution to HIV prevention and control in Singapore. This award acknowledges DSC’s contributions to HIV prevention and control programmes in Singapore. “DSC’s work to understand the patterns of behaviour and successful implementation of disease prevention programmes has been critical in the early years of the epidemic in controlling spread of HIV and STIs”, said Prof Roy Chan, President of Action for AIDs.

NHG and Health Manpower Development Plan Awards

The 2014 NHG and Health Manpower Development Plan (HMDP) Award ceremony was held on 10 July 2014. The NHG Awards is an annual event to honour exemplary healthcare professionals, while the HMDP Awards is given to deserving medical professionals to further their training either locally or overseas.

Mrs Tang Lee Foon, Senior Pharmacy Manager, was awarded the NHG Outstanding Citizenship Award, which recognises staff who have made immense contributions to NHG’s strategic objectives and taken on additional responsibilities outside of their own portfolios.

The HMDP Awards were presented to seven staff of NSC, comprising of six medical staff and one allied health staff. - A/Prof Steven Thng, Senior Consultant- Dr Yew Yik Weng, Associate Consultant- Dr Tan Wei Sheng, Associate Consultant- Dr Angeline Yong, Associate Consultant- Dr Ker Khor Jia, Associate Consultant- Dr Michelle Liang, Senior Resident- Ms Winnie Choo, Senior Pharmacist

Healthcare Humanity Award

A/Prof Steven Thng, Senior Consultant was among the 76 recipients who received the 2014 Healthcare Humanity Award which recognises the efforts by healthcare staff across Singapore.

A/Prof Thng volunteered his time on mission trips and joined other missionaries in a roving tuberculosis clinic to help the needy at several third world countries in Asia, including a 6-months stint in 1999 in East Timor to set up an emergency centre for peacekeeping troops. He also set up the Melanocyte Culture Laboratory at the NSC to conduct research for a better treatment for Vitiligo.

The DSC team with Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health (centre, in red dress)

A/Prof Thng and his team stitching up a facial injury on an East Timorese villager.

National Skin Centre 2014 Corporate Review • 09

NSC is First in Asia Pacific to Achieve Primary Care IT AwardNational Skin Centre achieved Stage 6 of the Primary Care Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (PC-EMRAM) in February 2014. It is the first medical centre in Asia Pacific to achieve this advanced level of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) adoption in outpatient care. The award by HIMSS Analytics Asia Pacific places NSC among the select group of world-class primary care facilities that have successfully deployed high level of health IT to significantly improve quality of care and patient safety.

Awards

Ms Loo Swee Cheng, General Manager of NSC (left) receiving the award from Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minster for Health (right).

NSC Highlights 2014


NSC Highlights 2014

NHG Teaching Excellence AwardsTeachers’ Day on 5 September 2014 saw four NSC staff securing wins in four different categories in the annual NHG Teaching Awards. These awards are recognition of exemplary contribution and mentorship given by clinicians and allied health educators. We extend our congratulations to the following well-deserving awardees:

• DrKherKhorJia-NHGTeachingAwardforJuniorClinicians• DrMarkKohJeanAan-NHGOutstandingEducation Partners Award• DrNgSeeKet-NHGEducationLeadersAward• MsWongBeeYin-NHGTeachingAwardforNon-Physician

National Day Awards In the National Day Awards 2014, NSC is proud to have two of our own among the awardees for the Public Service Star Medal and the Efficiency Medal.

The Public Service Star Medal is awarded to those who have rendered valuable public service to the country in their distinguished fields. As a current member and the ex-chairman of the NSC Medifund committee from 1993 to 2011, Mr Chia Chee Yoong was integral in establishing a systematic approach for the Medical Social Workers to evaluate patients’ needs and grant waivers, ensuring that patients were not deprived of appropriate medical treatment due to financial or social reasons.

The Efficiency Medal recognises those who have shown exceptional efficiency and devotion in their line of work. Sister Tan Yoke Choo played a major role in supporting the development and growth of the Phototherapy Unit. Over the past few decades, she has trained countless nurses and other medical staff on Photo-dermatology, contributing significantly to development of dermatological nursing care in Singapore.

NHG Excellence in Action Awards

Held on 21 October, the NHG Excellence in Action Awards 2014 were awarded to six NSC staff for exhibiting exemplary standards in their work. We congratulate them on their well-deserved win.

• Leadership-DrMartinChioTze-Wei,SeniorConsultant• Individual–Medical-TanYokeChoo,NurseClinician• Individual–Executive/Admin-AngLiLi,ClinicExecutive• Individual–AlliedHealth-TantisopaniBteMohdApandi,SeniorPharmacyTechnician• JessicaJamieTanGeokSim,SocialWorkAssistant• Individual–Ancillary/Support-TanBeeHongMavis,SeniorPatientServiceAssociate

NSC awardees with Prof Chee Yam Cheng, Group CEO of NHG (extreme left)

NSC 25th Anniversary Walk raises $50,000 for Tattoo Removal ProgrammeAs part of NSC’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, NSC partnered with the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA) to raise a grand total of $50,000 for tattoo removal for ex-offenders. NSC staff, SANA members and members of the public participated in a 2. 4 km walk at Gardens by the Bay on 23 August 2014, to raise awareness for this worthy cause. Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs was the Guest of Honour and flagged off the walk.

The Tattoo Removal Programme has given NSC the opportunity to use its resources and dermatological expertise to contribute to a community cause, in allowing the beneficiaries to start afresh in the work force. Re-employment and re-integration into society is a struggle for ex-offenders, partly due to the presence of visible tattoos on exposed parts of their bodies. Additionally, the high cost of tattoo removal prevents them from receiving laser treatment. NSC is pleased to work with SANA on this worthy project to help increase their prospects of joining the workforce and re-integration.

Community Outreach by NSC NursesThe NSC nursing team reached out to the community in various activities – providing health screening and talks on skin and sexually transmitted infection control to migrant workers at Hougang Workers’ Dormitory, visited the Singapore Leprosy Relief Association to bring cheer to the long staying residents, performed skin assessment and care advice to the low-income elderly at a Bedok Community Club outing, volunteered at the Singapore Psoriasis Society’s World Psoriasis Day and conducted several dermatology nursing workshops for healthcare providers under the Singapore Nurses Association.

[LEFT] Associate Professor Tan Suat Hoon, Director of NSC (left), hands over the $50,000 donation cheque to Mrs Quek Bin Hwee, President of SANA (right), with Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Foreign Affairs (centre).

Community Contributions and others


Staff Nurse Ryan Chua attending to a migrant worker at Hougang Workers’ Dormitory.

Feature Department’s Reports

Care and Counselling Department

The Medial Social Workers’ (MSW) workflow was reviewed as part of the National eMSW review in terms of policy, system and workflow processes. The review aligned our application and other processes for assistance applications for the patients across all institutions. This study will be relevant to the National Electronic Financial Records (NeFR) and the pending NHG CARE Transformation. The Medication Assistance Fund (MAF/MAF Plus) application process was streamlined in 2014 for more timely approval with more financial information included to support each application. It is a means-tested financial scheme introduced by MOH to assist lower income patients who require expensive drugs for their treatment.

The Medical Social Worker Competency Checklist was reviewed to ensure that MSWs meet the competency levels in their professionalism. The checklist comprises of various skills and responsibilities such as Clinical Competency, Professional Practice, Communication/ Work Relationship, Project Management, Research, Teaching and Programme Evaluation.

The Eczema Support Group (ESG) is another important component of Care and Counseling Department where MSW support and co-organise activities for the ESG. As of December 2014, there were a total of 304 ESG members. The activities conducted in year 2014 were mainly family sharing sessions. There was also a Yishun SAFRA Country Club event organised for children with eczema in November 2014.

The Care & Counseling Department has expanded its services to include home visits since November 2014 to help verify the patients’ and family members’ financial situation and to identify those with various social issues to obtain a clearer assessment of their actual financial and social circumstances.

Clinic Operations Department

Patients’ Photo ID was introduced in February 2014 as another avenue besides the name and IC number to ensure staff identify and serve the correct patients. This reinforces our process of patient identification as part of the International Patient Safety Goal standards.

In March 2014, the Appointment Centre’s process to reduce dropped calls was revised. By cascading the KPIs into staffs’ individual performance indicators, staff are now better engaged to achieve targets set for various service levels of answered calls and dropped calls. Various interventions introduced include forecasting and tracking call volume during peak periods and other non-call workloads trends, establishment of a new roster framework for maximum staffing during break times, initiation of a monthly staff engagement programme, introduction of reports and matrixes for tracking staff performance and call audits.

After implementation, the average service level rose to 61% from 14%. There was an increase of 40% in answered calls within the threshold level of 20 seconds, and the average call handling capability increased from 58% to 87%, a tremendous improvement across all aspects.

Two more Visiting Consultants were appointed to run sessions for Micrographic Surgery (Mohs) from April 2014 and the Immunodermatology clinics from December 2014.

The Business Continuity Plan started in May 2014, to equip staff to respond to any incidents which may lead to our building becoming inaccessible. The core working team identified existing and potential risks and drafted their departmental plans to support the Centre’s minimum business objective of providing dermatological services for ambulatory and inpatient care.

Departments’ Reports

Before Implentation

After Implentation

Average Service Level

14%

61%

Average Call Handling Capability

58%

87%

After Implentation

Before Implentation

Medical Social Worker Competency Checklist

Clinical Competency

Professional Practice

Communication / Work Relationship

Project Management

Research

Teaching

Programe Evaluation


I feel happy when I see patients leaving NSC for the last time.There is a certain sense of fulfilment for Staff Nurse Neo Xue Qi when she sees a patient leave the clinic and not return. It means that they are well enough to not require any more follow-up treatments. She recalled treating a particular patient who had been visiting NSC for close to three years for treatment of warts. “He looked so happy when he walked out of the clinic on the day he was finally discharged after his warts cleared, and I felt really glad for him,” she said.

Job satisfaction was the reason why Ms Neo chose the nursing profession five years ago. “I chose nursing because I wanted to help people,” she explained simply.

But Ms Neo admits that nursing was harder than she initially had thought it to be. “Some patients can be challenging to handle, and make you cry.” she said. She felt that it is important to learn how to let it go and not let it affect her work. On the flipside, she has received small notes of appreciation and Thank You cards from grateful patients, and they can ‘really make your day’.

For Ms Neo, dedication means putting your heart and soul in whatever you do, not just what can be seen or acknowledged. She concluded, “It is great when somebody appreciates your work, but you cannot expect everybody you serve to understand and appreciate what you do. That does not mean I should not do the best I can for each and every patient under my care.”

Ms Neo Xue Qi, Staff Nurse

Department’s Reports Department’s Reports

National Skin Centre 2014 Corporate Review • 15National Skin Centre 2014 Corporate Review14 •

Following enforcement of Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) in July 2014, the appointment centre has been identified as the centralised department to manage requests to change personal information. Appointment staff are required to attend PDPA Pep Talks and pass a quiz with a score of 80% or above. Change of Patient Information Report was introduced to keep track of all requests. Audits were also conducted to ensure staff compliance, by listening to the call logs of change requests and checking the patients’ biodata to ensure staff records the requests.

As part of right-siting efforts to better equip family physicians to manage non-complex cases instead of referring them to NSC, a series of five Continuing Medical Education (CME) talks on Paediatric Dermatology and Psoriasis were conducted for NHG Polyclinics. The first of a planned thrice yearly referral letter survey was conducted in November to ascertain the appropriateness of incoming subsidised referrals. The results will also be useful indicators of the topics for subsequent CME talks for GPs.

In October, a weekly Appointment Booking Audit was conducted on the booking of private appointments to review overbooked cases, standardise the abbreviations used in appointment remarks and ensure all appointments given have proper identification and contact information.

Commissioning Secretariat

The proposed National Skin Centre’s expansion involves the construction of a new NSC facility and retrofitting the existing NSC facility for the co-location of National Healthcare Group Headquarters (NHG HQ) office.

The project started with a proposal submission to NHG Board for consideration in December 2009, and is targeted for completion in Year 2019 (for NSC) and Year 2020 (for NHG). The project will form part of the Health City Novena Masterplan by 2030 which will anchor the Regional Health System (RHS) for the central region, and is a key component under the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) capacity building strategy to develop medical excellence and provide more accessible and quality care to Singaporeans. The landscape of Novena will be transformed with Health City’s new healthcare facilities, boulevards, gateways and plazas.

MOH completed the appointment of the full panel of consultants (Project Manager, Architect, Civil and Structural Consultants, Mechanical and Electrical Consultants and Quantity Surveying Consultants) on 31 December 2013. Nine workgroups were formed at the beginning of 2014 to provide users’ input into Design Development. A series of design development workshops were held, with the first design workshop conducted on 22 January 2014. Design development comprised of three phases: (1) Concept Design; (2) Schematic Design; and, (3) Detailed Design. The project requirements were finalised after the NHG Board meeting in July 2014. The final Developmental Planning Committee (DPC) paper was submitted to MOH on 29 August 2014. We are currently waiting for funding approval.

The first phase, Concept Design, was completed on 30 July 2014. Site investigation works (namely, Topographic Survey, Services Detection and Soil Investigation) are currently being conducted and scheduled to complete in the first quarter of Year 2015. Our consultants are currently working on the Schematic and Detailed Designs concurrently with the users.

As the new NSC facility will be built on the existing car park, a temporary car park has been planned at TTSH Communicable Diseases Centreto be completed in November 2015. A temporary main entrance will also be created as part of the advanced preparatory works to facilitate the construction of the new building.

The programme for Year 2015 will be a series of design workshops to work out the Detailed Design and the calling of tender for the construction of the new facility and retrofitting of existing facility will start in the first half of Year 2016.Milestones for Year 2014 were:

• CompletionofConceptDesign–30July2014• SubmissionofDPCpapertoMOH–29August2014

Department of STI Control

The highlight of the year for the DSC Clinic was receiving the Red Ribbon Award at the 9th Singapore AIDS Conference in November 2014 organised by Action for AIDS. This award acknowledges DSC’s contributions to HIV prevention and control programmes in Singapore. “DSC’s work to understand the patterns of behaviour and successful implementation of disease prevention programmes has been critical in the early years of the epidemic in controlling spread of HIV and STIs,” said Prof Roy Chan, President of Action for AIDs. The patient information leaflets (PILs) contents were reviewed and given a fresh new look with the subtle use of distinguishing colours for different diagnoses. The simplified language used was also easy to read and understand. In April 2014, DSC together with MOH, MOHH and KPMG embarked on an exercise to review and update existing National Costing Guidelines (NCGs) and develop new NCGs for DSC. The new framework highlights the public health functions such as contact tracing, STI registry, education and the Medical Surveillance Scheme (MSS) more distinctly as they are important components in an STI prevention and control programme.

In May 2014, DSC introduced a walk-in fee of $5.00 for patients who walk in at the clinic without an appointment. This is to encourage patients to make appointments with DSC, with the aim of optimising time slots and thus shortening waiting times in the clinic. The walk-in fee is waived for patients who are assessed to require urgent medical attention. DSC Clinic started a We Care project in August 2014 to streamline male patients’ flow from registration to treatment. The project aims to enhance patients’ experience at the DSC Clinic and also to improve the coordination of care between the doctors, nurses and laboratory staff. Some of the new initiatives included bigger signs at the queue machines, colour zoning of clinic areas to guide patients to be seated in the correct zones, consolidating of notices and posters around the clinic to reduce visual clutter, a new triaging service to better manage walk-in patients, relocation of queue panels to increase visibility for patients and an urine drop-box for patients to self-drop their urine specimens instead of interrupting the nurses in the treatment rooms. In September, following a review in 2013 which showed that chlamydia/gonorrhoea PCR urine testing had comparable results with the cervical swab method, The testing was extended to doctors in the Medical Surveillance Scheme (MSS) in 2014. The urine collection method is a simpler and faster procedure, which can be performed without discomfort for the MSS patients. In December 2014, a nurse triage room was created from a counselling room at level 1 to allow nurses to assess walk-in patients for signs and symptoms, and if they require same day medical attention or book the next available appointment at DSC.

Laboratory Department

In April 2014, a Laboratory seminar cum workshop titled, “Update on Laboratory Techniques in the Diagnosis of Fungal Skin Infection” was held with a full house of more than 40 participants. The vast majority of the participants rated the event as excellent.

In the Department of STI Control (DSC) Laboratory, a fully automated stainer for automated gram-staining testing was installed. This will reduce staining time and hence improve the turnaround time and efficiency of gram staining immediate testing for patients.

In the Histology Laboratory, a fully automated cassette labeller was fitted. This has greatly reduced human errors in labelling of sample cassettes and improves our turnaround time in the Histology Laboratory.

As part of improving our educational facilities in the laboratory, bi-header teaching microscopes were installed in our NSC Clinical Laboratory and DSC Laboratory to facilitate teaching of medical students, polytechnic students and general practitioners.

Dec’09

ProposalSubmissionFor Expansion

31 Dec’13

Full Panel of

ConsultantsAppointed

22 Jan’14

Design WorkshopsConducted

30 Jul’14

ConceptDesign

Completed

29 Aug’14

FinalDevelopment and Planning Committee Paper Submitted Nov’15

NSC Facility

planned for Completion

Proposed National Skin Centre’s Expansion Timeline

Prof Roy ChanPresident of Action for AIDs

DSC’s work to understand the patterns

of behaviour and successful implementation

of disease prevention programmes has been

critical in the early years of the epidemic in controlling spread of HIV

and STIs.

“

”



Management Information and Technology Office

In 2014, the Management Information and Technology Office (MITO) accomplished two major milestones: the successful rollout of the enhancement to the billing system to cater to MOH initiatives to provide enhanced Subsidy for lower income group and further discounts for Pioneer Generation; and the revamp of NSC and DSC’s public websites leveraging on the Sharepoint framework. In addition, NSC’s website domain was changed to www.nsc.com.sg from www.nsc.gov.sg in alignment with the rest of the public health institutions under National Healthcare Group.

NSC Health and Medical Informatics committee and a number of key NSC staff were involved in the cluster wide EMR-Care Transformation Programme. The programme involves the establishment of a new Electronic Health Record (EHR) system to support NHG’s plans to transform healthcare delivery and develop the central Regional Health System (RHS). The benefits of the EHR system are the increase in accessibility via integrated patient information, increase in accessibility to diagnostic images of patients, reduction in storage space for hard-copy documents, reduction in duplicate tests and prescriptions and reduction in overall patient waiting time.

The Medical and Health Informatics team and representatives for all departments in NSC participated in the planning stage which involved the World Café Workshops to gather requirements for the ONE EMR system and evaluation of vendors during the Request for Information stage. Enhancements continued on the existing EMR system. The first project was to activate the e-Consent feature in the EMR system for phototherapy and procedure orders. After a one year trial the e-consent was fully implemented in December 2014. The e-consent will increase efficiency with improved accessibility as well as reduce paper wastage. The second project was upgrading of the storage space for the EMR system, to increase the lifespan of the EMR system and to increase the capacity for storing more images.

As the support for Microsoft XP ended in April 2014, all computers and laptops in NSC are being migrated to Microsoft Windows 7 in stages. As at December 2014, MITO has upgraded more than 70% of these computers and laptops.

Nursing Department

To boost community healthcare providers’ capabilities in caring for their residents, the Nursing Department partnered with various community agencies such St. Luke’s Community Hospital, St. Andrew’s Nursing Home and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to provide on-going skin assessment and skin care education and training. A service contract was also established with the Lions Home for the Elders in October 2014, to provide monthly visits by a dermatology nurse to work with the nursing staff to assess and review care for residents with skin conditions. The collaborative efforts have established an essential resource and support network between specialist care and nursing home care.

A new Nurse-Led treatment service of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Clinic was set up in October 2014 to better coordinate care for patients with actinic keratosis, Bowen’s disease and superficial basal cell carcinoma. Nursing staff in the Phototherapy Unit underwent intensive training to expand their role to support the preparatory care normally handled by doctors. With the new initiative, patients referred from different doctors are now grouped into same day sessions to share the costly photosensitiser cream to reduce their bill size, free up doctors’ time to perform the preparatory care, and minimise manpower utilisation for PDT service.

A new Basic Eye Screening service was set up to support immune-dermatology patients who are on long term medication of hydroxychloroquine which is associated with the risk of retinal damage. The nurse will perform a basic eye examination which entails visual acuity, screening for maculopathy using the Amsler Chart to pick up any early signs of abnormalities and arrange for early referrals to visit eye specialists. The Nursing Education Team supported the practical sessions on wound care and patch tests for 240 Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine’s Medical Students 4 in addition to the training of the Duke NUS and overseas medical and nursing students, general

practitioners, job shadowing school students, and visitors for attachments and training. The new two-week training module for STI nursing was incorporated for the first time in regular six week dermatology nursing course in July 2014. Three internal and overseas nursing staff completed the two month programme. Monthly nursing case study sessions were set up to encourage nurses to present interesting and challenging cases for peers’ learning in addition to the regular Continuous Professional Education (CPE) sessions.

Nursing training fellowship grants were received from the industry for two nursing staff to attend the Australia Dermatology Nurses Association Conference in Australia and British Dermatology Nursing Conference in UK to keep the nurses abreast with updated dermatology education and networking. Two nursing staff were invited to share their expertise at the 11th Chinese University Hong Kong Symposium & Social Hygiene Symposium and Australian Dermatology Nursing Conference.

To promote evidence-based nursing practices, a nursing research track was established, supported by a 0.5 FTE nursing research staff nurse while another staff nurse was converted to part time to allow him time to pursue a higher degree in clinical research to build up the Centre’s future research capabilities.

Publications• B.Lim.,R.Chan(2014).AnOverviewofNationalSkinCentreofSingapore.British Dermatological Nursing, Group Journal 2014, Vol 13, No 1• B.Lim(2014).VisitstotheDermatologyInstitutionsandUniversitiesinUK.British Dermatological Nursing, Group Journal 2014, Vol 13, No 1• Choi,Y.Y.,Leow,M.Q.H.,Liu,Y.,Lee,J.C.J.,Lim,B.(2014).ImprovingNursing Documentation on Pain Assessment for Patients with Keloids in National Skin Centre. Annals Academy of Medicine, 43 (Suppl) (9), 378. Impact factor:1.362. • MDAdnan,WQuek,JNg,BLim.(2014).ExtendedRoleforFemaleNurse-led Services at Department of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Control (DSC) in Women’s Clinic. Annals Academy of Medicine, 43 (Suppl) (9), 380. Impact factor:1.362. • Leow,M.Q.H.,&Choi,Y.Y.C.(2014).TheDevelopmentofaDocumentationPlan and Psychosocial Support Intervention for Patients with Venous Leg Ulcer in the National Skin Centre (NSC). Annals Academy of Medicine, 43 (Suppl) (9), 228. Impact factor:1.362.

Posters• ViralWartsamongPeoplewithDiabetesMellitus,HypertensionandHyperlipidemia treated with Cryotherapy in National Skin Centre. B.Lim, D. Seah, KL Kong, KL Tan, R. Dalan, Y.Kowitlawakul. The 10th International Diabetes Federation-Western Pacific Region & 6th The Asia Association of the Study of Diabetes Congress

• Awarenessaboutdiabetesriskfactorsandcomplicationsamonghealthcarestaffin National Skin Centre. B Lim,KY Kong, BY Wong, KL Tan, D Seah, MQH Leow. The 10th International Diabetes Federation-Western Pacific Region & 6ththe Asia Association of the Study of Diabetes Congress



Pharmacy

In a continuing review of medication safety, attention was focused on High Alert Medications (HAM). To ensure judicious use, the prescribing approval controls in the system were programmed to route HAM prescribed by junior doctors to senior doctors for review and approval. A Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) project was undertaken to identify and proactively reduce risks in labelling and handling of HAM drugs in the pharmacy. This included development of a HAM Look Alike, Sound Alike (LASA) tool kit for staff training and reference. A multi-disciplinary team coordinated by Pharmacy completed the “Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Medication Safety Self-Assessment for Hospitals” survey in September in a nationwide initiative by SHiNE, to assess baseline safe medication practices benchmarked against best practices in US institutions.

Twelve PILs on medications were reviewed and updated. Four new (Make-Up Removers, Oral Whitening Supplements, Pressure Earrings, Sun Protective Hats and Clothing) and 15 updated Product Guides with information on compositions and recommended use, were posted to the e-notice board for doctors’ quick reference

On the pharmacy practice research front, an abstract on “Adverse Drug Reactions to Oral Antibiotics used for Dermatological Indications: A Preliminary Study” was accepted for abstract publication in Annals Academy of Medicine Singapore (AAMS). Pharmacy collaborated with doctors in a retrospective cohort observational study on “Topical Tacrolimus in Endogenous Eczema and Cancer Association”, which won the Singapore Clinician Investigator Award Bronze medal in the SHBC. A poster on “Photoprotection: The importance of a Dedicated Sun Protection Counselling Service” submitted for the IPCC 2014 was the result of combined efforts with doctors to evaluate patients’ understanding of photoprotection. A joint report by pharmacy and nursing on “Investigation of glycopyrronium bromide with and without benzyl alcohol in iontophoresis” is underway.

The annual NSC Pharmacists’ Continuing Medical Education (CME) Seminar on the topic of “Psoriasis” held on 28 June 2014 attracted more than 150 participants. Other pharmacist-led educational activities included a talk on “Alcohol and Food-Drug Interactions” in July for non-medical staff, and a workshop on “Medication Safety: Our Purpose and Our Commitment”, at the Singapore Pharmacy Congress 2014 in October, to educate pre-registration and new pharmacists on basic medication safety concepts and principles.

Senior Pharmacist, Ms Winnie Choo, returned in August from a two-month HMDP attachment in the University of Bath, UK. She will look into improving topical formulation systems with newly acquired knowledge of topical drug permeation properties, which will boost our in-house compounding services. In September, Pharmacy hosted a pharmacist on a 3-week training scholarship attachment from the Malaysian Ministry of Health to learn about the management of psoriasis patients in NSC.

As part of a MOH funded National Pharmacy Programme for Outpatient Pharmacy Automation Systems (OPAS) to be introduced in RH pharmacies, an automated dispensing machine was approved to be installed in the NSC pharmacy, with the objectives of improving medication safety and enhancing workflow efficiency. As at end December the project has reached a “Proof of Concept” stage to test the functionality of the selected machine. The LIVE date is projected for end of 2015.

On top of scoping requirements and planning new workflows for the OPAS project, key pharmacy staff were also closely engaged in preparing and testing the system for the roll out of newly introduced MOH initiatives for enhanced subsidies for subsidized SOC services on 1 September 2014, and for subsidized medications on 1 January 2015.

Pharmacists were involved in the dispensing and counselling of trial medications in six on-going and three new drug trials.

Quality Department

Quality Department launched its first Quality Improvement Newsletter in February 2014, which was distributed within all NHG institutions. This newsletter provides an update on quality related events, activities or projects such as progress and outcome of improvement projects or monitoring of clinical indicators.

Department of STI Control (DSC) initiated their first Value Stream Mapping (VSM) project titled “Enhancing DSC Patients’ Experience - Streamlining Patient Flow from Registration to Treatment” on 27 August 2014. The project reviewed and streamlined patient flow by providing better coordination of care between different departments to further enhance patients’ experience at DSC. Most importantly, this will encourage patients to keep to their appointment timing.

As part of NSC’s continuous efforts to publicise information on our clinical performance indicators, the ‘Rate of Incomplete Tumour Excision’ was published on our website under the Skin Cancer Subspecialty clinic. As incomplete tumour excision portends a potential increase in the risk of tumour recurrence, ensuring that skin cancers are adequately excised remains a primary goal for surgeons. A target of less than 5% was set for the rate of incomplete tumour excision in skin cancers (Basal Cell Carcinomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas).

NSC Quality Day, an annual event to promote continuous improvement in corporate culture, was held on 29 October 2014. This year, the theme centred on “Transcending Boundaries, Together as NSC.” Key quality milestones over the past 25 years were listed on a feature wall at the staff area where game booths of childhood games were set up. Staff had fun reminiscing their childhood past and in the same flashback manner, went down memory lane remembering the Centre’s quality journey through the years.

NSC is one of the member institutions in the Singapore Healthcare Improvement Network (SHINe), an umbrella group composed of member healthcare organisations which are collectively committed to better health, better care and lower costs to patients. The SHINe Large Scale Initiative (LSI) improvement methodology adopted for spreading and scaling up in 2014 in NSC was on improving hand hygiene compliance, focusing on the second moment of hand hygiene – hand washing before a procedure by a doctor.

In FY14, a total of 505 Daily Improvement Suggestions were received to improve work processes and the working environment.

Five Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) projects were presented during the Annual NSC Staff Retreat on 1 November 2014. The project from the Nursing (Non-subsidised) team on, “Improving Workflow for Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for Skin Cancers” won for demonstrating better coordination of care delivery and reduced medication wastage. The Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) project by the Pharmacy team on “Improving Medication Safety of HAM Drugs“ was presented for sharing as the inaugural formal FMEA project in the Centre.

Support Services DepartmentThe Education Corner was converted into a new Pharmacy Office as part of the master plan of the proposed Outpatient Pharmacy Automation System (OPAS). Some of the backroom administrative functions will be transferred over to the new office to free up space for the OPAS equipment. The new office has a maximum seating capacity for 10 staff and is linked to the Pharmacy via closed circuit TV.

At the Institute of Dermatology, Singapore (IODS), the Research Laboratory at Level 4 was re-organised into a dual-purpose facility for bench work and administrative functions to meet the increased demand for research services. To optimise space usage, existing laboratory benches were re-positioned closer to each other and redundant storage cabinets removed, resulting in the addition of four new work stations for research staff.

To meet the demand of increased patient volume, a new treatment room was constructed from the photography store room to supplement existing services in the sub-speciality clinics (Clinic H). The new facility, Treatment Room T9, comes fully equipped with patient queue and nurse call systems.

An application for a licence to store flammable materials has been approved by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). The store room at Basement Level was inspected by the SCDF and found to be safe for the proper storage of flammable materials.

NSC is actively involved in medical education and research activities to empower and add value to dermatological treatment and care. NSC organises many courses in dermatology to update practitioners on the latest developments in clinical dermatology and our laboratory, while research facilities are continually updated to complement our clinical teaching capabilities. NSC’s Education Division constantly refines its key training programmes in order to achieve the desired training outcomes of professional competence in the participants.

Dermatology Senior Residency Programme

To groom residents into the next generation of dermatologists, NSC is the main training centre for the National Dermatology Senior Residency Programme. This programme is designed to meet specific outcomes in the key competencies of patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, system-based practice and development as future educators. This programme is preceded by broad-based clinical educational via the Internal Medicine Residency Programme. The 3.5-year programme provides continuous base of active participatory study and experience in dermatology and rotation through the various core dermatology subspecialties.

Seamless Dermatological Training Programme

This is an alternative route of dermatology specialist training with a focus on research. The 6.5-year programme aims to equip trainees with the basic dermatological sciences and research methodology with an intercalated year of research prior to starting clinical dermatology training. The outcome will be graduates who are well equipped to continue their career as a Clinician-Scientist / Researcher.

Medical Education for Undergraduates

Undergraduates from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS, are trained in dermatology at NSC. Undergraduate medical education focuses on core curriculum of common dermatological diseases - their presentation and practical management. Clinical exposure at the clinics complements didactic lectures to provide foundational training in dermatology. Team-based learning during the posting reinforces key learning points. Formative mid-posting e-assessments and end-of-posting structured assessments are held to ensure competency and attainment of learning objectives. Undergraduates from the new medical school, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU, will also receive their dermatological education at NSC during their clinical training years. Elective postings are also open to students from Dukes-NUS Graduate School of Medicine.

Upgrading of Professional Standards – Dermatology Courses, Fellowships, Attachments

As an education and research institution, NSC is actively involved in organising several teaching programmes in dermatology to familiarise medical practitioners with various clinical procedures and disease management. 28 participants from 7 countries graduated from the Graduate Diploma in Family Practice Dermatology and another 16 doctors from Philippines attended the Clinical Dermatology Course for GPs etc.

The National Skin Centre, in collaboration with the Dermatological Society of Singapore, organises regular courses on commonly performed aesthetic procedures (e.g. dermal fillers, cosmetic botulinum toxin, intense pulse light therapy, laser hair removal, chemical peeling) with the issuance of certificate of competence to successful participants. These workshops aim to familiarise participants with the well-established indications and the science underpinning the practice of aesthetic dermatology and equip them with the skills to perform aesthetic procedures safely. NSC hosted 44 overseas visiting fellows from 14 countries in general and subspecialties of dermatology. Of these, 8 were on the Stiefel Laboratories & NSC Dermatology Fellowship grant and the rest were on short term to long term attachments to our sub-specialty clinics.

Medical Education

National Target NSC

Overall Compliance Rate for Hand Hygiene

94%90%

Department’s Reports Medical Education


Infection Control Committee

The infection control priorities for 2014 comprised four main categories:1. improving staff hand hygiene compliance rates 2. the prevention of sharps injuries amongst staff at NSC 3. surgical site infection surveillance of all procedures which required removal of sutures 4. fast track/ isolation surveillance

In 2014, the NSC staff overall compliance rate for hand hygiene was 94%, which was above the target of 90%. NSC is one of the member institutions that are involved in the SHINe initiative, which aims to improve the quality of patient care and to reduce harm in healthcare institutions over the next 3 years. The NSC team has chosen to focus on further improving hand hygiene as it is the single most effective measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections. New interventions will be set in place to ensure a successful outcome.

There were seven sharps injuries sustained by staff in 2014. The Centre continues its efforts to improve this. Our high quality of infection control was substantiated by a low infection rate for procedures which required stitch removal. In 2014, a total of 4806 procedures were done with two surgical site infections (0.04%). For fast track/ isolation surveillance, 100% of the MRSA, chicken pox, hand, foot and mouth disease and TB cases were fast tracked. For the scabies and zoster cases, the rates were 67% and 68% respectively.

Quality Assurance Committee

The Quality Assurance Committee (QAC) is the main steering committee at NSC that oversees issues with regards to quality improvement, patient safety and risk management. Members of the committee comprise leaders in management from different departments, namely Human Resource, Finance, Pharmacy, Quality, Clinic Operations, Laboratory, Nursing, Support services and DSC with medical staff representing Safety, Infection Control and Audit respectively. The Director sits in the committee as the advisor.

The committee discusses and reviews matters pertaining to Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) which is directly under the purview of National Healthcare Group (NHG), Healthcare Performance Office (HPO) and Singapore Healthcare Improvement Network (SHINe) that are directly under the purview of the Standards & Quality Improvement Division (SQID), Ministry of Health.

The committee meets quarterly to share, review, discuss and resolve various issues arising to prioritise quality improvement initiatives under the platform of Improvement in Quality and Patient Safety (IQS) Management Standard of the Joint Commission International (JCI). It also serves as a platform to facilitate cooperation between departments to resolve any short-fall in delivering quality patient care.

Medical Audit Committee

The NSC electronic medical records (EMR) audit was conducted quarterly from January to December 2014. At least 10 cases were audited per doctor at NSC each quarter. The peer auditing was done for specialists (Associate Consultants and above) cross-auditing each other and clinical supervisors auditing all their respective trainees under them (Senior Residents, MOs). This was done for both NSC and DSC cases. Doctors are assessed on timeliness of documentation, use of SOAP format (subjective, objective, assessment, plan), clerking standard, instigation of appropriate investigations and treatment. Similar to 2013, timeliness and SOAP format were scored as “yes/no”, whilst the remaining parameters were graded on a 5-point Likert scale. Nursing, pharmacy and allied health conducted their own internal audits.

Medical Education Medical Education


Singapore Health & Biomedical Congress 2014

NSC participated in the Singapore Health & Biomedical Congress 2014 held on 26-27 September 2014 at the Max Atria @ Singapore Expo by holding dermatology tracks covering the topics of medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology, skin malignancies, challenging inpatient dermatology, facial pigmentary disorders and cosmeceuticals.

Asian Skin: A Reference Color Atlas of Dermatology & Venereology 2nd EdThe first edition of the Asian skin atlas was published in 2005. In this 2nd edition published in 2014, more than ninety-five percent of the clinical pictures found in the first edition have been refreshed. This new atlas expands on the previous by including new conditions within existing chapters as well as adding 8 new chapters. This comprehensive atlas of dermatology contains more than 1400 high quality clinical and histological pictures of dermatoses affecting Asians.

Continuing Medical EducationA comprehensive range of CME activities were held throughout 2014 to ensure that doctors, nurses and allied health staff maintain their professional competency. These include in-house journal clubs, book clubs, master classes, interdisciplinary seminars and teaching sessions by visiting experts. Staffs are also sponsored to attend local and overseas conferences for the latest updates in their relevant fields.

The firm and rigorous commitment NSC places on Medical Education continue to affirm the Centre as the region’s foremost dermatological training centre.

Title of ProgrammeGraduate Diploma in Family Practice Dermatology

Clinical Dermatology Course For GPs

Yong Loo Lin-National University of Singapore Final Year Medical Students Clinical Posting

Education Activities for 2014No. of Participants

28

18

14

22

214

Date3 Jan

- 23 Nov

21 - 21 April

15 - 21 May

28 Aug - 3 Sep

RemarksHong Kong 2, Indonesia 1, Malaysia 4, Myanmar 1, Pakistan 1, Singapore 1

Philippines 17, Singapore 1

Philippines 11, Singapore 3

Philippines 22

Batch 10 (AY1314), Batch 1 - 6 (AY1414)

Elective Students Postinga) Yong Loo Lin-National University of Singapore

b) Duke-National University of Singapore

c) Overseas

5

8

11

4th Year 5, 3rd Year 3 Australia 3, China 1, Netherlands 2, Peru 1United Kingdom 4

School Attachment (Job Shadowing)a) Tertiary Institution 33 Australia 3, Belgium 2,

United Kingdom 2Singapore 26

Specialized Dermatology Observership Attachmenta) Dermatologic Surgery

b) Dermatology (Skin Cancer)

c) Dermatology (Phototherapy)

d) Dermatology (Cellular Grafting)

e) Dermatology (Pediatric)

f) Sexually Transmitted Infections

9

1

1

4

2

1

Bahrain 1, India 5, Myanmar 1, Philippines 2

Estonia 1

Indonesia 1

Australia 1, Saudi Arabia 1, USA 2

Philippines 1, India 1

Philippines 1

General Dermatology Observership Attachment: - Overseasa) Self – Sponsored

b) Stiefel Laboratories & NSC Dermatology Fellowship

12

8

Australia 1, China 1, India 1, Korea 6, Myanmar 1, Philippines 1, Thailand 1

Bangladesh 2, China 1, India 1, Malaysia 2, Philippines 1, Sri Lanka 1

General Dermatology Observership Attachment:- LocalKKWCH, Paediatric

SGH, Department of Pathology

SingHealth, Department of Infectious Diseases

NUH, Division of Infectious Diseases

NUH, Department of Internal Medicine

TTSH, Department of Infectious Diseases

3

6

1

5

1

1

Visiting Clinical Fellowship:- Overseasa) PGIM (Sri Lanka)

b) Ministry of Health (Oman)

c) Oman Medical Specialty Board

d) Victoria Faculty Fellowship (Australia)

2

1

1

2

Sri Lanka 2

Oman 1

Oman 1

Australia 2

General Dermatology Clinical Attachment:- LocalTTSH, Department of Internal Medicine 9 Singapore 9

Medical Practitioners’ SeminarPaediatric Dermatology: Red Flags and Danger Signs

Common Dermatological Conditions and their Mimickers

50

53

NSC Open House 2014English Public Forum: Pigmentation, Botox, Wrinkles & Tips for Radiant Skin

Mandarin Public Forum: Pigmentation, Botox, Wrinkles & Tips for Radiant Skin

English Public Forum: Acne, Cosmetic Procedures & Red Rashes

163

105

68

Dermatology Nursing Course 3 29 Jul - 19 Sep Hong Kong 1, Singapore 2

General Dermatology Observership Attachment:- Locala) Botox

b) IPL

c) Dermal Fillers

d) Chemical Peels

e) Laser Hair Removal

21

17

20

17

8

22 Mar

26 Apr

17 May

16 Aug

4 Oct

Title of Programme No. of Participants Date Remarks

24 May

15 Nov

Nurses’ SeminarA Positive Approach Towards Chronic Skin Diseases 182 22 Mar

Laboratory Seminar & WorkshopUpdates On Lab Techniques In the Diagnosis Of Fungal Skin Infections

27 26 Apr

Pharmacists’ SeminarPsoriasis 150 28 Jun

29 Nov

29 Nov

29 Nov

2014 was a fruitful year for Research in NSC with a significant increase in research grants, 3 new industry sponsored trials and 29 new initiated projects. We continued to have a successful publication output, with a total of 62 publications.

New Initiatives

NSC BioBank

The NSC BioBank was launched in May 2014. It aims to develop a state of the art immunohistology, tissue and cell repository facility to systematically collect and store skin tissue samples. It will boost the capability of our cell culture laboratory and serve as a valuable resource for skin research in NSC and other academic institutes in Singapore.

NHG Clinician Investigator Scheme

Two of our senior clinicians, Clin Prof Goh Chee Leok and A/Prof Steven Thng, had the honour of being the pioneers of the newly launched NHG CIinical Investigator scheme for established clinicians, which will provide them protected time for research and mentoring of junior doctors.

Research

Research Research


A*STAR-NHG-NTU Skin Research Grant

As part of the Skin Research Institute of Singapore initiative, 11 new research studies were awarded the A*STAR-NHG-NTU Skin Research Grants which will provide exciting opportunities for research collaboration across 3 institutions.

1

2

3

4

5

6

No.

A multimodal imaging and micro-array expression profile study to unravel possible pathogenesis of melasma in Asian population

The role of cellular senescence in hair greying

Enhancing the diagnostic capability and usability of the high-definition optical coherence tomography in dermatology: development of an image analysis system

Digital Image analysis for assessment of severity of Melasma in patients

Identification of Molecular Biomarkers of Psoriasis

A Near-Infrared mediated nanoparticles antigen delivery system for squamous-cell carcinomas immunotherapy induced by cytotoxic T-cell responses

Project Title

A/Prof Steven Thng

Dr Joyce Lee

Dr Tey Hong Liang

Dr Emily Gan

Dr Colin Theng

Dr Martin Chio

NSC Lead-Principal Investigator

Assist. Prof Andrew Tan Nguan Soon. NTU

Dr Oliver Dressen, IMB, A*STAR

Dr Damon Wong, I2R, A*STAR

A/Prof Lin Zhiping, NTU

Dr Prabha Sampath, IMB, A*STAR

A/Prof Timothy Tan, NTU

Non-Clinical Lead-Principal Investigator

SRG Level 2 Category Applications ($500, 000 for 3 years)

1

2

3

4

5

No.

Role of T cells in skin-specific immunity with aging

Pathophysiology of itch in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis

Fusogenic liposomes with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity for topical skin applications

Tunable Display of siRNA on protein nanocapsules for the management of hyperpigmentation skin condition

Microbiome Analysis of Singapore patients with skin barrier dysfunction and atopic dermatitis

Project Title

Dr Tan Wee Ping

Dr Tey Hong Liang

Prof Goh Chee Leok

A/Prof Steven Thng

A/Prof Mark Tang


Dr Larbi Anis, SIgN, A*STAR

Dr Ng Lai Guan, SIgN, A*STAR

A/Prof Cho Nam-Joon, NTU

Assist. Prof Sierin Lim, NTU

Dr John Edmund Armourer Common, IMB, A*STAR

Non-Clinical Lead-Principal Investigator

Singapore Infectious Diseases Initiative (SIDI) Research Grant

Dr Martin Chio, Senior Consultant and Head of DSC Clinic, was awarded the SIDI grant for his project on the Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Ecology of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in Singapore, which has particular clinical significance given the emergence of multidrug resistant gonococci in the region.

SRG Level 1 Category Applications ($100, 000 for 1 year)

National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Centre Grant

This was the 2nd year of the Centre Grant (CG) which has been fundamental in enhancing our research capabilities and resources, particularly for research manpower and the acquisition of core equipment.

Research Manpower Development a. The NSC Clinician Researcher Track was launched in 2013, funded in part by this CG grant. Our first recipient is Dr Tey Hong Liang, Consultant, who spends 50% FTE on research. He is the Theme Leader for Itch and has been awarded the NHG-KTP Clinician Leadership in Research Grant in 2013 for his ongoing research project on pruritus in localized cutaneous amyloidosis.

b. The CG grant has also enabled us to expand our research team with the addition of a Biostatistician and 3 Clinical Research Fellows to assist clinician PIs with research projects, subject recruitment and data management.

New Research Equipment The following equipment was acquired to develop and support core research programmes in NSC.

a. In vivo Confocal Microscope for non-invasive bio-imaging of pigmented and inflammatory skin lesions.

b. VISIA Photography Device for non-invasive, multi-spectra photography for pigmentary and vascularity assessment.

c. The Aperio ScanScope, a histology slide scanning system for image analysis, data sharing, data storage and providing high quality histology images for research and publications.

d. Physitemp Therma sensitivity Non-invasive tester for non-invasive analysis of cutaneous innervation and sensitivity, which is used in itch research.

e. The High-Definition Optical Coherence Tomography for non-invasive 3D imaging of skin structures for the study of normal and diseased skin.

f. pH meter to evaluate shifts in skin pH

g. Delfin VaporMeter for the measurement of the trans-epidermal water loss, which is the main indicator of skin barrier function.

h. Delfin MoistureMeter for the measurement of the skin surface hydration of the stratum corneum level.

i. Delfin SebumScale for the measurement of the sebum production by the skin.

Research Awards

Research Research


5

6

7

8

9

10

No.

A Two-Arm, Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase IIb Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous, Bioresorbable Afamelanotide Implants plus Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) Light Source with Narrow-Band Ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) Light Source in the Treatment of Nonsegmental Vitiligo

A randomized, double-blind, multicenter study of subcutaneous secukinumab, assessing Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) response and maintenance of response in subjects with moderate to severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis on either a fixed dose regimen or on a retreatment at start of relapse regimen CAIN457A2304 (Sculpture)

A3921061: A Phase 3, Multi-Site, Open-LabelStudy of the Long Term Safety and Tolerability of 2 Oral Doses of CP-690,550 In Subjects with Moderate to Severe Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

The efficacy of methotrexate in treatment of psoriasis in routine clinical practice: A prospective cohort study in an Asian population.

CAIN457A2304E1 A multicenter, double-blind and open label, 2 year extension study of subcutaneous secukinumab in prefilled syringes, assessing long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy in subjects with moderate to severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis treated with either a fixed dose regimen or on a retreatment at start of relapse regimen

Efficacy of doxycycline versus erythromycin in the treatment of pruritic acne vulgaris

Project Title

A/Prof Steven Thng

Dr Colin Theng

Dr Colin Theng

Dr Colin Theng

Dr Colin Theng

Dr Tey Hong Liang


SUTD and NSC Skin Cancer Imaging Team

Dr Sophie Cai

Study Team

Best Poster Award

Clinician Investigator Award - Bronze

Award

Design of a Mobile Imaging System for Early Diagnosis of Skin Cancer

Topical tacrolimus in endogenous eczema and cancer association

Study / Presentation

IEEE Life Sciences Grand Challenges Conference

Singapore Health & Biomedical Congress 2014

Venue

Clinical Trials

2014 was a busy year for clinical trials in NSC, with several new and ongoing collaborations.

1

2

3

4

No.

A Phase IV, Open label, Single arm, MulticenterObservational Study to Evaluate the Correlation Between PEST and SCORAD Score in the Management of Atopic Dermatitis with use of Ceradan® Regimen in Children Aged Six Months to Six Years

A double blind placebo controlled trial to investigate the use of PLE (polypodium leucotomos extract) in the management of melasma

Double blind placebo controlled trial to evaluate of the effectiveness of a Food Dietary Supplement rich in colourless carotenoids as adjunct to topical lightening cream for the treatment of Melasma.

A left-right controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of platelet rich plasma for the treatment of vitiligo

Project Title

Prof Giam Yoke Chin

A/Prof Goh Chee Leok

A/Prof Steven Thng

A/Prof Steven Thng


List of New Research projects

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

No.

Mutational Analysis For Janus Kinase 3 In Mycosis Fungoides Using Routine Archival Specimens

Molecular Epidemiology And Microbial Ecology Of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae In Singapore

Formative and pilot studies for HIV/STI prevention in men-who-have-sex-with-men. Phase I: Formative research

An Observational Cross-Sectional Study To Estimate The Prevalence Of Skin Colonization By Staphylococcus Aureus (S. Aureus) And Methicillin-Resistant S. Aureus (MRSA) In An Asian Population With Atopic Dermatitis Across Six Countries In Asia.

Usefulness Of Radioallergosorbent (RAST) Testing For Food Allergy In Patients With Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

Reflectance Confocal Microscopy Imaging Of Lichen Planus Pigmentosus In Vivo: Correlation With Routine Histology

Tunable Display Of Sirna On Protein Nanocapsules For The Management Of Hyperpigmentation Skin Condition

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Topical Depigmenting Products in Solar Lentigo

Validation Of Software Developed For Automatic Scoring Of Melasma

Prospective Study On The Incidence Of Atopic Disease (Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, Atopic Eczema) And Psoriasis Following Treatment Of Infantile Haemangioma With Oral Propranolol

Effectiveness of Psoralen UVA (PUVA) in Alopecia Areata (AA)- Our Experience in the National Skin Centre

A Five Year Retrospective Review Of Rosacea Presenting At A Tertiary Dermatology Centre In Singapore

Human Leuococyte Antigen Associations In Singaporean Chinese Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa Attending A Tertiary Dermatology Centre.

Topical Photodynamic Therapy For Actinic Keratosis In Asian Patients- Our Experience At The National Skin Centre

The Impact Of Viral Warts On The Qol Of Patients

A qualitative study on the needs and experiences of the patients with alopecia areata undergoing diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP) or intralesional triamcinolone treatment on scalp for hair growth

Project Title

A/Prof Tan Suat Hoon

Dr Martin Chio

Dr Martin Chio

A/Prof Mark Tang

A/Prof Mark Tang

A/Prof Steven Thng

A/Prof Steven Thng

A/Prof Steven Thng

A/Prof Steven Thng

Dr Madeline Ho

Dr Lucinda Tan

Dr Yew Yik Weng

Dr Wang Ding Yuan

Dr Oh Choon Chiat

Dr Mabel Leow

Dr Mabel Leow


Research Medical Staff


DIRECTOR / SENIOR CONSULTANT

Clinical Assoc Prof TAN Suat HoonMBBS, M.Med (Int. Med), Dip. RC Path (DMT), FAMS , MBA (Chicago)Clinical Interests: Cutaneous Lymphomas, Dermatopathology, Immunodermatology

SENIOR CONSULTANTS

Clinical Prof CHAN Kum Wah, Roy MBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Lond), Dip. Derm (Lond), Dip. Ven (Lond), FAMSClinical Interest: Sexually Transmitted Infections & HIV

Clinical Assoc Prof CHUA Sze HonMBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), FAMS Clinical Interests: Dermatological & Laser Surgery, Immunodermatology

Dr CHIO Tze-Wei, MartinMB ChB (Bristol), MSc (Lond), MRCP (UK), FRCP (Lond), FAMSClinical Interests: Skin Cancers, Sexually Transmitted Infections & HIV

Dr CHONG Wei ShengMBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), M Med (Int Med), FAMS Clinical Interests: Photodermatology, Psoriasis

Clinical Assoc Prof GIAM Yoke ChinMBBS, M.Med (Paed), FAMS Clinical Interests: Paediatric Dermatology, Skin Health

Clinical Prof GOH Chee Leok MD, MBBS, M.Med (Int. Med), MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), FAMS Clinical Interests: Contact & Occupational Dermatitis, Dermatological & Laser Surgery

Dr GOON Teik Jin, Anthony MBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), FAMS, PhD (LUND, Sweden)Clinical Interest: Contact & Occupational Dermatitis

Dr LEE Siong See, JoyceMBBS, MRCP (UK), M Med (Int Med), FAMS, Dip Dermatopathology (ICDP-UEMS)Clinical Interests: Dermatopathology, Hair Disorders

List of Medical StaffDr LEOW Yung HianMBBS, M.Med (Int. Med), FAMS Clinical Interest: Contact & Occupational Dermatitis

Clinical Assoc Prof NG See Ket MBBS, M.Med (Int. Med) Clinical Interest: Medical Dermatology

Dr SEOW Chew SweeMBBS (Malaya), M.Med (Int. Med) Clinical Interest: Cutaneous Infections

Clinical Assoc Prof TANG Boon Yang, MarkMBBS, MRCP (UK), M Med (Int Med), FRCP (Edin), FAMSClinical Interests: Wound & Ulcer Management, Cutaneous Lymphoma, Eczema

Dr THENG Thiam Seng, ColinMBBS, MRCP (UK), M.Med (Fam. Med), FAMSClinical Interests: Photodermatology, Psoriasis

Adjunct Assoc Prof THNG Tien Guan, Steven MBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin)Clinical Interest: Pigmentary Disorders

CONSULTANTS

Dr CHIA Hui YiMBBS, MRCP (UK)Clinical Interests: Dermatopathology, Skin Cancers(From 01 August 2014)

Dr CHENG Wei Na, SuzanneMBBS (London), MRCP (UK)Clinical Interests: Skin Cancer, Contact and Occupational Dermatitis

Dr HENG Yee KiatMBBS, MRCP (UK), M. Med (Int Med)Clinical Interests: Photodermatology, Psoriasis, Drug Eruptions(From 01 June 2014)

Dr HO Sheun Ling, MadelineMBChB (Edin), MRCP (UK), MRCP (Ireland), MSC (Lond)Clinical Interest: Paediatric Dermatology

Dr LIM Yen LooMBBS, MRCP (UK), FAMS, FRCP (Edin) Clinical Interests: Immunodermatology, Eczema, Drug Eruptions

Dr ONG Chun Wei, GavinMBBS, MRCP (UK), M. Med (Int Med), MRCPS (Glasg), FAMSClinical Interests: Sexually Transmitted Infections & HIV, Skin Health(From 01 June 2014)

Dr OON Hwee Boon, HazelMD (Toronto), MRCP (UK), M. Med (Int Med), GDFM, FAMSClinical Interests: Photodermatology, Psoriasis

Dr PAN Jiun YitMBBS, MRCP (UK), DPD (Cardiff), Dip Derm (RCPSG), MCI (NUS), GDOM (NUS), DTM & H (London), FRCP (Edin), FAMSClinical Interests: Cutaneous Infections, Photodermatology, Psoriasis

Dr TAN Wee PingMBBS, MRCP (UK), FAMSClinical Interests: Dermatological & Laser Surgery, Cutaneous Lymphoma, Skin Cancers

Dr TEE Shang-IanMBBS, MRCP (UK), FAMS, Dip Dermatopathology (ICDP-UEMS)Clinical Interests: Dermatopathology, Cutaneous Lymphomas, Urticaria

Dr TEY Hong LiangMBBS, MRCP (UK), MRCPS (Glasg), GDGM, FAMSClinical Interests: Neurodermatology, Geriatric Dermatology

ASSOCIATE CONSULTANTS

Dr CHAN EllenFAChSHM, Grad Dip Med (STD/HIV) (Syd), DTM & H Lond, MBBS (Qld)

Dr CHUAH Sai YeeMB ChB (Glasgow), MRCP (UK),Dip In Derm (RCPSG), MRCPS (Glasg)

Dr GAN Yiping, EmilyMBBS (Honours), MRCP (UK), M.Med (Int Med)(From 15 June 2014)

Dr HO Giao Yun StephanieMB ChB (Edin), MRCP (UK)

Dr KER Khor JiaMBBS, MRCP (UK)(From 15 June 2014)

Dr LIANG Weiting, MichelleMBBS (Honours), MRCP (UK), M.Med (Int Med)(From 15 August 2014)

Dr LOW Meiyin, Lynette CharleneMBBS (Lond), MRCP (UK), FAMS(From 15 August 2014)

Dr TAN Sern Ting, EugeneMBBS, FAMS

Dr TAN Siyun, LucindaMBBS, MRCP (UK), M. Med (Int Med)

Dr TAN Wei ShengMBBS(From 15 June 2014)

Dr WANG Cho Ee, EtienneMBBS

Dr YEW Yik WengMBBS(From 15 June 2014)

Dr YONG Anning, AngelineMBBS, MRCP (UK), DPD (Cardiff), Dip Derm (RCPSG), FAMS, MRCPS (Glasg)

SENIOR RESIDENTS

Dr CHAN Wai Man MandyMBBS, MRCP (UK) (From 01 July 2014)

Dr CHAN Wai Sze AgnesMBBS, MRCP (UK) (From 01 July 2014)

Dr CHEN QipingMB (Fudan, China), MSc, MRCP (UK),

Dr LEE Hwee ChyenMBBS, MRCP (UK) (From 01 July 2014)

Dr LIM En-En CharmaineMBBS(From 01 July 2014)

Dr LIU Wen Chun, ConiMBBS (Honours), MRCP (UK), M.Med (Int Med)

Dr TAN Wei Min, AaronMBBS

Dr TAY Yuxin, EvelynMBBS, MRCP (UK)

Dr TEO Wan LinMBBS

Dr YEO Koon Wee, BensonMBBS

RESIDENT PHYSICIAN

Dr Anjali JHINGANMBBS, MRCP (UK)

VISITING CONSULTANTS /SPECIALISTS

Dr CHAN Keen LoongMBBS, M.Med (Psy)

Dr CHOY Kwok Yin Kenneth DavidMBBS, M Med (Occup Med), MSc (HFE)

Dr CHAI Min Wee PaulMBBS, M.Med (Int Med), FRCP (UK), FAMS(From 16 April 2014)

Dr FONG Poh HimMBBS, M Med (Surgery), FRCS (Edin), FAMS (Plastic Surgery)

Dr GAN Siok LinMBBS, MSc (Occup Med), FAMS

Dr GOH Boon KeeBSc (Hons), MB ChB (UK), MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), FAMS

Dr GOH Seng Geok, NicholasMBBS, FRCPA, FAMS (Pathology)

Dr KOH Jean Aan MarkMBBS, MRCPCH, FAMS, Dip (Family Practice Dermatology), Dip Pract Derm (Cardiff)

Dr KHOO RosalindMBBS, MRCP (UK), Dip Derm (Lond), FAMS

Prof Birgitte LANEBSc (UK), PhD (Lond, UK)

Dr LIM Kar SengMBBS, MRCP (UK), FAMS

Dr NG Pei Lin, PatriciaMBBS, MRCP (UK) FAMS

Dr SEAH Pong PinMBBS, MRCP (UK), PhD (Lond), FAMS

Dr SIM Chee SengMBBS, FRCPA

Prof Walter T L TANMBBS, M.Med (Surgery), FRCSE, FRCSG, FACS, FICS, FCPS (Pak), FACP (Hon), FRACP (Hon), FCPSA (Hon), FRACS (General Surgery)(Till 31 December 2014)

Dr TAN Kian TeoMB BCh (Irl), MRCP (UK), FAMS(Till 31 December 2014)

Dr TAN Hiok HeeMBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), FAMS

Dr TAN Kong ChongMBBS, MRCP (UK), FAMS

Dr TEO Tzu Li, SylviaMBBS, M Med (Occup Med), Dip (Geriatric Med)

Assoc Prof WONG Mee LianMD, MBBS, MPH (Malaya), FPH (UK), FAMS Dr WONG Siew Ngoh MBBS, MRCP (UK), Dip. Derm (Lond)

Dr WONG Su-NiMBBS (Melbourne), MRCP (UK), M Med (Int. Med), FAMS (Derm), FRCP (London)

Board & Key Committees 2014

Statistics 2014 Board & Key Committees


Governance and Leadership

Mdm Kay KuokChairman, NSC BoardChairman, National Healthcare Group

Prof Chee Yam ChengDirector, NSC BoardGCEO, National Healthcare Group


A/Prof Chua Sze HonDeputy Director, NSC

Medical Staff Committee



Ms Loo Swee ChengGeneral Manager, Ex-Officio

A/Prof Steven Thng Deputy Head, Medical Education Division

A/Prof Mark Tang Head, Research Division

Prof Roy Chan Medical Advisor and Senior Consultant, NSC

Dr Colin Theng Head, Subspecialty Division

Dr Leow Yung Hian Head, Quality Assurance Committee,

A/Prof Tay Jam Chin Head of Department, General Medicine Clinic, TTSH

Seated left to right:

Standing left to right:

Prof Leo Yee Sin Head, Infectious Diseases & Epidemiology, TTSHClinical Director, Communicable Diseases Centre, Singapore

Prof David KohProfessor, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, NUS

Absent from photo:

Statistics 2014Top Ten DiseasesDisease 2012 2013 2014

Dermatitis/Eczema 1 16,464 1 22,047 1 20,527Benign Skin Tumours 3 5,937 3 7,212 2 6,786Acne 2 8,159 2 7,931 3 6,720Viral Skin Infections 5 5,081 4 5,042 4 4,601Pigmentation Disorders 4 4,688 5 4,654 5 4,231Alopecia 6 3,774 6 3,831 6 3,172Urticaria 7 2,839 8 2,795 7 2,700Fungal Infections 8 2,645 7 2,916 8 2,517Naevus 9 2,247 9 2,361 9 2,173Psoriasis 10 1,899 10 1,836 10 1,745

Work Load and Staff

Laboratory InvestigationsMicrobiology 43,399 44,762 41,825Histopathology 132,723 143,987 139,971Immunology 115,569 114,517 114,691Biochemistry 68,030 67,153 67,195Haematology 53,600 53,605 54,320Others 2,426 2,012 2,170Total 415,747 426,036 420,172

Staff

2014

Patient Attendance

Non-subsidised

Subsidised

Surgical Operations or Procedures Performed

Outpatients

Day Surgery Patients

Total 308,560

130,251 178,309

2012

Total 307,783

137,125 170,658

Total 170,510

154,232 16,278

Total 156,999

2013

Total 301,847

132,059 169,788

Total 171,000

154,990 16,010 141,383 15,616

Medical

Nursing

Allied Health

Admin

Ancillary

51

58

7349

10550

55

6845

101

Total 319 Total 336

63

62

7687

85

Total 373

Management Committee



Ms Loo Swee ChengGeneral Manager

Mr Lawrence Quek Senior Manager, Support Services

Mrs Alice ChewSenior Manager, Human Resource

Mr Johnny FooManager, Clinic Operations

Mr Eric GohManager, Quality

Mr Lee Sau ChuenManager, Laboratories

Mrs Tang Lee FoonSenior Manager, Pharmacy

Seated left to right:

Standing left to right:

Mr Sin Kok Chuen Senior Manager, Commissioning Secretariat

Ms Brenda LimHead, Nursing

Absent from photo:

Ms Theresa SoonManager, Department of STI Control

It’s not about being perfect.

It’s about effort.

And when you bring that effort every single day,

that’s where transformation happens.

That’s how change occurs.

That’s our dedication.

Board and Key Committees


National Skin Centre1 Mandalay Road Singapore 308205Tel: 65 62534455Fax: 65 62533225Email: [email protected]: www.nsc.com.sgFacebook: www.facebook.com/NationalSkinCentre

AppointmentsTel: 65 63506666

Fax: 65 62582475

Recorded General InformationTel: 65 63506680

Documents

National Skin Centre 2014 Corporate Review