Stories that define us

Deepening the clinician-patient connection with technology

The last five years of SingHealth’s journey could be likened to a “digital growth spurt” with one clear goal in mind: helping our doctors and nurses spend more quality time with patients.

Our commitment to enhancing care outcomes and patient experience has led us to explore and pilot new technology to support our patients. Here’s a snapshot of how we are using digital solutions to make a meaningful difference:

Image courtesy of The Straits Times

2011

Our AI-powered SELENA+ software now delivers eye scan results in just minutes instead of days, allowing doctors to discuss treatment options for threatening eye conditions immediately and ease patient’s concerns sooner.

2021-2025

We inked Memorandums of Understanding with three leading organisations - SG Innovate (2021), AI Singapore (2023) and Philips (2025) – to advance technology use in healthcare. These collaborations range from improving diagnosis and treatment through AI, enhancing AI training in healthcare, and streamlining clinical decision-making.

2022-2023

Through Mobile Inpatient Care-at-Home (MIC@Home), patients can recover comfortably at home while staying connected to care teams through round-the-clock teleconsults and home visits.

2023

4-Dimensional Disease Outbreak Surveillance System (4D-DOS) uses digital-twin technology to monitor, analyse, predict, and simulate disease outbreaks and beyond in real-time.

2023-2024

We have created innovation spaces, the Alice Lee Innovation Centre of Excellence @ Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Changi General Hospital (CGH) and KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) Campus, where commercial partners and clinical experts collaborate to develop and implement medical technology and digital healthcare solutions.

2024

Note Buddy, our real-time transcription tool, captures and summarises clinical notes, freeing healthcare professionals to focus on meaningful interactions with patients.

Our doctors can now better assess surgery suitability by analysing patients’ existing clinical history to predict potential post-operation complications using the Combined Assessment of Risk Encountered in Surgery-Machine Learning (CARES-ML).

These efforts are also part of SingHealth’s broader vision to reshape healthcare delivery – one that transcends the physical boundaries of our institutions, enabling patients to receive the care they need right in the community.

For more digital initiatives, check out the video.

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Asia’s first heart-liver transplant gives retired pastor a new lease of life

Healing often requires surgical precision, as it did for Asia’s first heart-liver transplant patient, Lau Chin Kwee. The retired pastor, who was 57 when he underwent the landmark surgery, found that a rare genetic disorder had damaged his heart and liver.

In April 2009, a multidisciplinary team from the National Heart Centre Singapore’s Heart/Lung Transplant Unit and Singapore General Hospital’s Liver Transplant Service rose to the challenge, and performed the transplant in about 12 hours.

One of the biggest challenges was transporting the organs and transplanting them within a short window of time. The heart had to be transported from another hospital, where the donor was, and implanted within four hours, and the liver, 12 hours.

Despite the risks involved, the operation was a success. The procedure granted Lau his desire to see his young, six-year-old son grow up. More importantly, it also gave Lau a new lease of life, extending his life expectancy by a few more years compared to just two years if he had not undergone the transplant.

This surgery is testament to SingHealth’s commitment to serving its patients well, where interdisciplinary medical teams work together to ensure the most optimal outcome for patients.

Life's simple joys: Dentures you can count on

Anyone wearing dentures knows how important a good fit is – it helps avoid uncomfortable gum irritation, blisters and sores. Traditional metal-based Removable Partial Dentures (RPD) rely on hand casting, which is not only labour intensive but also depends heavily on technique. The process typically requires patients to make multiple visits to the clinic.

SmartRPD, an innovative workflow developed by the National Dental Centre Singapore, integrates intra-oral scanning, automatic design, and 3D printing to streamline denture production. Computer algorithms analyse each patient’s unique dental scans to generate a 3D model of the RPD framework, which is then used to create the actual denture using a 3D printer. The improved process means fewer visits for patients, better fitting dentures and more efficient use of resources.

SmartRPD comes at the right time for Singapore’s ageing population. A 2017 community survey found that 69 per cent of people aged 65 and above wear dentures. With 24 per cent of the population expected to be 65 and above by 2030, the annual demand for RPDs is set to rise.

Having at least 20 teeth and healthy gums is about more than just appearances. It is about living well and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. With a full set of pearly whites, you can confidently sing your karaoke favourites and savour every bite of your meals without worry.

At SingHealth, we are committed to helping our seniors age well, with a smile on their faces!