|
Jurong HealthConnect was first announced by then Ag Minister of Health Khaw Boon Wan in March 2004, as a pilot project to better serve the healthcare needs of Jurong Residents. The project was officially launched on 3 July 2004. See the information box below for more details!
|
Launch of Jurong HealthConnect - 3 July 2004 |
|
The Jurong HealthConnect was officially launched on 3 July 2004. The Guest-of-Honour, Mr Lim Boon Heng, Minister, Prime Minister's Office, NTUC Secretary-General and MP for Jurong GRC declared the programme officially open at the JTC Summit Theatrette on that Saturday morning. |
|
Minister Lim said, "There are currently good facilities, but coordination is lacking, so health and social services are fragmented. We have many helping hands in the community, but there is little coordination or clear accessibility to the needed services." |
|
|
|
Dr Tan Cheng Bock presenting Minister Lim Boon Heng with a token of appreciation |
|
The idea of Jurong HealthConnect (JHC) was initially announced by the Ag Minister of Health Mr Khaw Boon Wan in parliament in March 2004 with the intent of transforming existing services to better serve the Jurong residents by putting the patients at the centre, with services re-organised around them.
Jurong HealthConnect, a three-year pilot project in community-based healthcare, is designed to provide a patient-centric, seamless, and accessible healthcare network for the residents in Jurong. Successful components of the pilot would then be replicated in other parts of Singapore.
Some of the proposed initiatives shared at launch include regular health screenings to help detect early signs of chronic diseases, together with targeted follow-up, as well as a one-stop health information centre for advice and help to the residents on health-related concerns.
Over more than 300 guests from the grassroots from South West Community Development Council, representatives from volunteer welfare organizations, nursing homes and our community partners turned up at the launch for an insight on this new healthcare system. Speakers comprised members of the JHC working committee, namely Dr Jason Cheah, Dr Pang Weng Sun, Dr Wong Loong Mun, Mr Ho Sun Yee and Dr Seow Yong Tong. |
|
|
|
To gather more feedback and comments, a community forum was also conducted at the launch. Dr Tan Cheng Bock, Chairman of the JHC Advisory Committee, Dr Pang Weng Sun and Mr Liak Teng Lit sat on the panel, and addressed the various issues that were raised.
|
MISSION OF JURONG HEALTHCONNECT
To help evolve and realize a patient-centric, seamless and accessible healthcare network, for the residents of Jurong. The successful components of this project would be replicated to suit the needs of other parts of Singapore.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN
The Jurong HealthConnect working group will spend the next 3 years reviewing, and revamping the delivery of healthcare, to suit the needs of our Jurong Residents. In this regard, some of the services we aim to provide include:
· Systematic and Targeted Health Screenings
· Appropriate Follow Up after Health Screenings
· Systematic Health Promotions
· Information provision on healthcare services and available support services in Jurong area
· Standardisation of healthcare processes and information flow between healthcare facilities, whilst maintaining full confidentiality
· One-stop Call Centre services to increase accessibility and reaching out to residents.The Call Centre Hotline is 64777199.
We would be using a "Many Hands Approach", combining the efforts of the people, private and public sector to help bring the above initiatives to the Jurong Community. If you or your organisation would like to collaborate with us in any of these areas, please click here to register your interest and contact details.
VISION - WHAT WE WOULD LIKE OUR RESIDENTS TO SAY.
· I know where to go for health information.
My community health screening results are made known to me, as well as my doctors, when they need them.
· When I fall sick, I know that my doctors already know my problems, and my health information from other facilities is available to my doctors.
· In an emergency, I know exactly what number to dial.
· There is a trusted person I can call, regarding my elderly parent's health problems.
· Finally, I know that my health will be followed through comprehensively, for the rest of my life.
OUR ADVISORS
An Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr Tan Cheng Bock, MP for Ayer Rajah; with members comprising Dr Amy Khor, Mayor Southwest CDC; Dr Lily Neo, MP for Jalan Besar GRC; Mr Ahmad Khalis, MP for Hong Kah GRC and Dr Mary Ann Tsao, President and CEO of Tsao Foundation, is providing advice and directions in this initiative, which also has the full support of South West CDC, as well as our numerous partners.
OUR PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS
Members from various sectors of the community and government bodies have shown great support and given their assistance in this project. They include:
Other community partners of note include:
- Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre
- New Life Home Care
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
We have conducted 11 focus group discussions and have spoken to a total of nearly 80 people, comprising representatives from patient groups, residents, VWOs, GPs, healthcare providers and professionals from NCSS, MCYS and MOH. We are always actively seeking opinions and suggestions on this project. If you would like to give us your opinion, please click here.
LESSONS LEARNT THUS FAR
There were many valuable inputs and suggestions made during the various focus group sessions and the public forum. From these numerous sessions, we have summarised the learning points and issues into major themes, represented by the acronym "CARE".
CARE represents some areas that our working committee have to look into, in trying to provide care around the patient:
Coordinate and Connect
The need for linkages and partnerships to be strengthened across providers for the communities in Jurong
Access
The need for establishment of multiple opportunities and convenient avenues for residents, care providers and communities to acquire information, practical assistance, emotional support and healthcare services
Reach
The need for appropriate and targeted engagement with/for the residents in Jurong
Empower
The need for the adequate and appropriate provision of knowledge, information and training to the patient and caregiver to make informed decisions in healthcare |