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JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012

Parkway Pantai Limited, TripleOne Somerset, 111 Somerset Road #15-01, Singapore 238164. Tel: (+65) 6307 7880 Fax: (+65) 6738 7341. © Parkway Pantai Limited 2012. This publication and information contained herein is strictly for internal use only and contains Parkway Pantai proprietary information which is restricted to Parkway Pantai employees and within the Parkway Pantai Group. Access to, use or copying by non-Parkway Pantai employees in any form or other, is strictly prohibited. For information about Parkway Pantai, go to www.parkwayholdings.com. All information correct as of date of print. Parkway Pantai Limited Company Registration No. 201106772W MICA (P) 207/03/2012

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Cover Image: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

july - september 2012

parkway pantai team

Editor-at-LargE Lim Bee Ling

EditoriaL advisors Ahmad Shahizam, Janet Low

Copy Editor Angeline Ang

photographEr Henry Koh, Picture Communication Terence Tan, IMG Pixels

atelier oost

Editor Caroline Chan

art dirECtor Adelien Vandeweghe

WritErs Evelyn Mak, Thava Rani

Mosaic is published quarterly for Parkway Pantai Limited by atelier oost llp and printed by AlsoDominie Pte Ltd. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. We take every care and precaution to ensure that information published in Mosaic is accurate at the time of publication, but Parkway Pantai cannot guarantee its accuracy and we may change the information at any time without prior notice. The information contained in Mosaic magazine is not an invitation to invest in the shares, or any other products or services or otherwise deal in these or enter into a contract with “Parkway Pantai” or any other Parkway Pantai Company.

01

EDIToR’S NoTE

02

contents

CoNTENTS

04NEWS BITES

08BLuEPRINT

12PRofILE

16SNAPSHoTS

18IN GooD HANDS

03

21EN RouTE

28AT YouR SERVICE

30NEW SCIENCE

34YouR HEALTH

38ACCoLADES

For gardening enthusiasts out there, it is important to remember some basics of back care prior to exerting your muscles and joints.

Gardening does not have to be a pain in the back. Take a look at these valuable little tips from Canadian chiropractors for both gardening and sports preparation:

•Stretchbeforeyouheadout.Takethetime to prepare your body for activity and always warm up and cool down your muscles.

•Bendyourkneestoliftwithease.Keepheavy loads such as potting soil close to your body. Keep your back straight and bend your knees when picking up and putting down loads.

•Usetherightmovesandtherighttools.Alternate your tasks, kneel to plant and weed while changing positions frequently. Pace yourself and always make sure that gardening tools are a comfortable weight and size for you.

•Takeabreakbeforeyou ache. Get up, move around, alternate tasks, repeat your stretch routine or sit back, relax and have a cool drink. source: southasianlife.com

tips for green thumbs

Creatas/Thinkstock

Foods such as rice, potatoes and pasta in their natural forms are low in sodium. But once you grab the convenient “all-in-one” box with enhanced flavourings, you may end up eating more than half of your daily required intake of sodium in just one serving. Best not to include those boxes in your daily diet. source: WebMD.com

pre-packaged pitfalls

Australian researchers studying the effect of mood on scepticism and trust found that people in a good mood are more trusting and people in a bad mood are more sceptical.

They found that people in a bad mood were more likely to detect when someone was being deceptive, while people in a good mood were more easily fooled. source: WebMD.com

moody scepticism

04

news bites

Digital Vision/Thinkstock

Hem

era/Thinkstock

fool the brain to eat less

According to a survey conducted by Lifeblood–aUK-basedcharity–youngprofessionals are doubling their risk of sufferingapotentiallylife-threateningblood clot because they sit at their desks for three hours at a time, eat lunch at their desks, then go home and sit on the sofa.

Obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are all linked to an unhealthy lifestyle but sitting for long periods can also increase the immediate health risk due to blood clots, warns the charity.

Deep vein thrombosis can affect anyone who sits for prolonged periods without getting up to move around.

The charity surveyed 1,000 people aged under 30. The poll found young desk-boundprofessionalssatstillforanaverage of three hours. Approximately 75% also ate lunch at their desk instead of taking the opportunity to move around which would reduce their clot risk.

Furthermore, eight out of 10 young professionals spent the evening sitting on their sofa at home. The charity said that after sitting for 90 minutes, the blood flow at the back of the knee drops by half and this doubles the chances of developing a blood clot.

For every hour spent sitting, the risk of a blood clot increases by 10 per cent, it said. source: indianexpress.com

office workers risk blood clots

Japanese scientists have invented a revolutionary dieting device that makes food appear larger than it really is and fools a person’s brain into believing the stomach is full.

The scientists at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Information Science and Technology have developed an image processing system. The system alters the size of a piece of food when it is picked up and brought towards the person’s mouth.

Takuji Narumi, an assistant professor on the project, shared that the device is in the form of a pair of spectacles that are fitted with video cameras linked to a computer that manipulates the images. The computer is able to make the food appear as much as 50 per cent larger or 33 per cent smaller than its actual size. To make the illusion even more convincing, the processor is able to make the person’s hand appear normal sized.

“By changing the size of the food and scaling it up, we have shown that participants eat about 10 per cent less over the course of a day,” said Narumi.

“This is because the brain believes visual information rather than the information that it receives from the stomach or our other internal sensors,” he added.

In a monitored test, subjects were asked to eat cookies until they felt full. Those using the augmented reality device that made the cookies appear 50 per cent larger ate 9.3 per cent fewer cookies.

Conversely, when the system made the cookies appear to be 33 per cent smaller, the test subjects consumed an average of 15 per cent more. source: AFPRelaxnews

05iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Photos.com

/Thinkstock

Swimming is a great way to exercise. Like any aerobic activity,

swimming burns fat and improves muscular

and cardiovascular health. Swimming for just

20 to 30 minutes a day can deliver additional benefits beyond walking, jogging or riding a bike.

Because the density of the body is close to that of water, the body is supported during swimming. This results in less stress on joints and bones. While jogging can burn as many calories, it puts more wear and tear on leg joints. For this reason, swimming is a popular recommendation for people rehabilitating from injuries, the disabled and the elderly.

By alternating a chosen exercise with a regular swimming programme, individuals can exercise different muscle groups, lower strain on hips, knees and ankles, and increase lung capacity to achieve total-body fitness more easily. source: southasianlife.com

Ever picked up a piece of food that had dropped on the floor, given it a quick blow and assumed it was still safe to eat?

The belief that dropped food will not be contaminated if it is retrieved quickly has been around for many years, but there has not been any conclusive proof of this.

ManchesterMetropolitanUniversity(MMU),UKtestedfivecommonly eaten foods: bread with jam, cooked pasta, ham, a plain biscuit, and dried fruit. All have different water activity levels – a key factor in whether items will sustain

bacterial growth before they are picked up from the floor. Theywerealldroppedonthefloorandleftforthree-,five-and10-secondintervals.

When retrieved from the floor within three seconds, the ham as well as bread with jam showed little sign of bacterial growth. “Ham is a processed meat preserved with salt and nitrates which prevents the growth of most bacteria,”saidKathyLees,MMUtechnicalofficer.“Thebread with jam showed no bacterial growth after time on the floor, which can be linked to the high sugar content of the jam which makes it unlikely to support microbial growth,” she added.

The dried fruit and cooked pasta showed signs of klebsiella after three seconds – a bacterium that can potentially lead to a wide range of diseases such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, septicaemia and soft tissue conditions.

Biscuitsprovedtoberelativelysafetoeatafterbeing dropped on the floor for 10 seconds. “No specific organisms were detected on the biscuit, which has a low water activity level and low adhesion ability,” said Lees. source: indianexpress.com

is dropped food safe?

take a swim

06

news bitesC

omstock/Thinkstock

Photodisc/Thinkstock

Pixland/Thinkstock

Seafood is rich in zinc, which is critically important for the heart, muscles and reproductive system. Research has linked zinc deficiency to poor sperm quality and male infertility.

Not a seafood fan? Beef, turkey, chicken, nuts and seeds are excellent alternatives for stocking up on zinc. source: WebMD.com

safe house cleaning

boosting male health

It is no secret that chemicals found in some household cleaners can be toxic if inhaled or touched, causing rashes and irritating the respiratory tract. This is particularly true for people prone to skin or breathing problems.

Someproductsmayaggravateallergies.Thosethatcontainammonia and chlorine may be especially irritating to children with asthma.

To avoid this, try cleaning with hot water, baking soda, microfi-breclothsandless-toxiccleaningproducts. source: WebMD.com

Do you lie awake at night planning witty things to write on Facebook? Are you restless or anxious when you cannot use the social networking site? If yes, then you could be addicted to Facebook.

Researchers at Bergen University, Norway have come up with their Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale, which highlights symptoms similar to those of drug and alcohol addiction.

The study asked students to score themselves on six criteria with ratings from “very rarely” to “very often”. Those who selected “often” or “very often” for four or more answers may have experienced Facebook addiction, the study concluded.

Lead psychologist Dr Cecilie Schou Andreassen said that Facebook addiction was more frequent in younger users, women and individuals with poor sleep habits.

“We have also found that people who are anxious and socially insecure use Facebook more than those with lower scores on those traits, probably because those who are anxious find it easier to communicate via social media than face-to-face,” said Andreassen.

The six warning signs of Facebook addiction are: (1) You spend a lot of time thinking about or plan-ning to use Facebook (2) You feel an increasing urge to use the site (3) You use the site to forget about personal problems (4) You have tried and failed to cut down on use (5) You become restless or troubled if you are prohibited from using Facebook (6) You use Facebook so much it has a negative impact on your job or studies.

The results follow in the wake of a study at the University of Chicago, US that found social media was more addictive than sex. source: news.com.au

Facebook addiction

07

iStockphoto/Thinkstock

iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Com

stock/Thinkstock

Designed by architects who specialise in healthcare, MNH is planned and built with patients as the centre of focus, and offers many first-of-its kind features in this region. MNH is also the first greenfield private hospital built in Singapore in more than 30 years. As a testament to its environmentally friendly features, MNH is the first completed private hospital in Singapore to be conferred the BCA Green Mark Platinum Award earlier this year. The entire hospital is also designed to be handicapped-friendly.

MNH was thoughtfully designed from the inside out

the making of

As Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital (MNH) gears up to welcome its first patient on 1 July 2012, Mosaic speaks to its architects to learn about their design concept and challenges on integrating healthcare needs into a modern hospital.

and outside in, keeping in mind the needs of key stakeholders and with patients as the core and our number one priority. The design concept emerged from the brief of building a state-of-the-art hospital

MNH is built using some of the latest architectural concepts and houses state-of-the-art technology. Healthcare needs are at the forefront, driving hospital architecture.

08

blueprint

09

using the latest healthcare architectural concepts and making sure that the facilities are of international standards. Every aspect of the hospital was carefully thought through from exit points and lighting to the use of materials.

MNH is also built with staff- and doctor-centric designs. For the staff, we made sure that their work environment is safe and they can go about their tasks in an efficient and productive manner. For example, we designed pneumatic tubes so that staff can send samples for testing swiftly. Nurse stations are filled with warm natural lighting to ensure a pleasant work environment. Light wells and rooftop gardens provide the additional relaxation and visual relief.

We kept in mind the needs of doctors in our design. The medical centre, for example, is housed at the same level as the wards. This enhances connectivity, making it easier and faster for doctors to travel from their clinics to patients’ wards. We also added pictorial stimuli in operating theatres to ease surgeons’ monotony.

From the onset, MNH is designed with the aim of attaining the BCA Green Mark Platinum Award. The building orientation is optimised for views and solar control. The use of double-glazed windows and ceramic tile cladding makes the building façade responsive to climate variations.

MNH boasts several first-of-its-kind features in Asia. For example, the concept of single-handed private canted rooms pioneered by HOK in the US is a patient safety-centric design, which is a first in Asia.

The unique “slanted” room layout allows patients to enjoy greater exposure to natural light, which helps the healing process, without the need to turn the head or body. Its unconventional bed layout in front of the doorway aids the monitoring of patients by clinical staff, allowing staff to reach patients quickly or “run into patients” as well as provides visibility to patients. Rooms have the same size and layout. This feature minimises staff error while enhancing patient safety, as staff know exactly where everything is. The washroom located at the headwall allows for the shortest journey

10

blueprint

to the washroom which in turn minimises the chances of falls. The canted rooms also resulted in a unique corridor profile unlike a normal monotonous straight-walled corridor.

MNH is believed to be the only fully single-suite private hospital in Asia and its regal suites have three unique design themes – Oriental, European and Balinese. MNH also has the highest number of ICU to hospital bed ratio and all ICU rooms are provided with windows as daylight helps in the healing process. Ambient lighting in the ICUs, which changes according to day and night to aid recovery, is also a first in Singapore.

En-suite day surgery rooms in MNH are likely to be the first in Asia and rare even in the US and Europe. MNH is keeping ahead of the curve and anticipating future trends. As healthcare evolves, the move is towards day surgery, leaving only patients with acute cases convalescing in hospitals.

MNH’s building façade is timeless, contemporary and high-tech looking from a distance Yet as you approach, it starts looking more and more like a six-star hotel. The use of warm colours gives the hospital interior a comforting and friendly

feel. Natural materials like wood and stone further enhance its aesthetic appeal. The façade tiles are installed using a clipped-on system for the benefit of speed and safety. It also provides an air gap for better thermal insulation.

The hospital’s unique location on a sloping terrain allows for multiple access points, thus providing better traffic flow to patients, visitors as well as delivery and emergency vehicles. Access to the site was originally limited to Irrawaddy Road yet the hillside makes it possible to create a gracious drop-off courtyard, a separate Accident and Emergency vehicle access at the top, a direct access point to the car park at the bottom of the hill and a service access in the middle.

MNH has the first Biograph MMR in Asia which can perform PET scans and MRI all in one seating. This cuts down on time and radiation exposure, and gives patients and physicians the complete picture. MNH is also the first private hospital in Singapore to operationalise a modular hybrid operating theatre. All the operating rooms are fitted with energy efficient features such as OT economiser and heat recovery devices.MNH is built using some of the latest architectural concepts and houses state-of-the-art technology. Healthcare needs are at the forefront, driving hospital architecture.

The use of warm colours gives the hospital

interior a comforting and friendly feel. Natural

materials like wood and stone further enhance its aesthetic appeal.

11

Can you imagine a world without sound? For Dr Eng Soh Ping, 45, an ENT [Ear, Nose and Throat] surgeon with a special interest in Otology, this is the reality for a lot of his patients.

Since the age of 10, he has aspired to become a doctor to help others.

“I remember the day I first told my dad about my dream of becoming a doctor – he was surprised, but extremely encouraging. He immediately brought me to the bookstore, where he bought me a huge book about the human body.”

After earning his medical degree from the National University of Singapore, Dr Eng had wanted to become a general practitioner (GP).

“I told myself I would never study again after complet-ing my degree,” he says with a laugh. “But as I was doing my rotations, the opportunity of taking a rota-tion in ENT came up, and I decided to take it because many people have ENT problems. It was my way of becoming a better GP in the future,” he explains.

The stint led to the discovery that he had not just flair but a love for the specialty too.

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profile

hear the music playing

Dr Eng Soh Ping, ENT surgeon at Mount Elizabeth and Parkway East Medical Centres, shares his experiences of giving the gift of hearing to his patients.

the sound of music As an Otology surgeon, Dr Eng is focused on helping people hear better.

“The ear and our hearing are often neglected – there’s a lot of emphasis placed on taking care of the eyes, but rarely do people focus on the ears and hearing until we lose them.”

His most memorable case was when he fitted a coch-lear implant for a Vietnamese patient in his 20s, who came to see Dr Eng with his father.

“Research has shown that if deaf patients are unable to learn to speak beyond their childhood, it is difficult to learn to speak even if they regain their hearing later in life. So when the patient’s father asked me to do a cochlear implant for his son, I was quite puzzled,” he

The ear and our hearing are often neglected – there’s a lot of emphasis placed on

taking care of the eyes, but rarely do people focus on the

ears and hearing until we lose them.

13

says. “I had to be very clear with the father that his son would still be unable to talk even after the surgery.”

But the father was unfazed. “He shared that he had no money to help his son when he was a boy. All he wanted was for his son to be able to hear for his own safety – to be able to hear the cars as he crossed the road,” he says. “So we went ahead with the surgery. A couple of months later, the son emailed me to tell me how great it felt to hear the birds chirping. More impor-tantly, he was inspired to learn how to speak. When the family visited me a year later, the father thanked me in tears, telling me his son had called him ‘papa’ and it was indescribable hearing his son’s voice.

“Cases like this melt my heart and show me that what I’m doing is definitely worthwhile.”

keeping abreast

One of Dr Eng’s career goals is to constantly challenge himself.

“As a clinician and surgeon, we should always try to find a better or newer way of doing things,” he states. “As technology progresses, if there is something new that comes along which I feel is worth pursuing, I will make sure that I get the right training to prepare myself for that.”

In April this year, Dr Eng performed a new procedure called the hybrid cochlear implant in Parkway East Hospital, making it the first private hospital in Singapore to carry out this surgery.

“Not every person who is deaf has complete

When I was a child, I wanted to be a doctor because of that very simple altruistic thought of ‘saving the world’.

14

profile

deafness – some may just have deafness in a certain frequency. In the past, doing cochlear implants on such patients would mean that you destroyed all the hearing they had and replaced it with electrical sounds from the implant,” he explains. “But with a hybrid cochlear implant, you save and amplify what remaining hearing the patient still has, while adding electrical sounds to help the patient hear better.”

The surgery was a success. While it has only been a couple of months since, Dr Eng says the patient seems to be recovering well.

giving back to society

To Dr Eng, his calling of helping patients is not just confined to Singapore. As a founding member of the IMPACT Contact Singapore initiative, he spearheads Ear Surgical Camps in developing nations like Nepal, Bangladesh and Cambodia.

“In third-world countries, ear problems are one of the highest causes of morbidity, and there are many people with ear infections or hearing impairment who do not have the means to seek medical treatment. So every year, I would bring my wife along with a team of anaesthetists and some other ENT surgeons to travel to one village. For five to seven days, we would work into the night to complete as many surgeries as possible, without the fancy high-tech equipment that we’re so accustomed to using in Singapore.”

Dr Eng also makes use of these opportunities to train local ENT surgeons as well as junior doctors and medical students from Singapore. In fact, he has been inviting Singaporean trainee doctors and medical students to join him for the ear surgical camps. He hopes to help them develop a broader perspective of their job as an ENT surgeon.

Aside from helping the less fortunate, Dr Eng also plays an active role in educating younger doctors and the public about ENT issues.

“I always tell the junior doctors that you have to wear a few hats in order to be a good doctor. Besides being a good clinician, you have to be a good teacher and a researcher as well. So I try to challenge myself by sharing my knowledge with medical students and postgraduates, and even with the public – that’s what I’m trained to do, and my contribution to society.”

taking a personal day

With so many things on his plate, Dr Eng takes special care to ensure that he doesn’t overwork himself.

“I always keep an eye on what I call my personal ‘stress indicators’, which are signs like my heart rate increas-ing, having tension headaches, and getting agitated over small matters. When I start exhibiting these signs, it means I need to slow down,” he reveals.

Apart from taking half a day off every week for some personal time, Dr Eng also takes short breaks every couple of months to relax with his wife, who is also a doctor.

“When I was a child, I wanted to be a doctor because of that very simple altruistic thought of ‘saving the world’. But along the way, I considered being a teacher because it crossed my mind that I could impact others better. And then later, I toyed with the idea of being a counsellor. And you know what? These are all of the things I’m doing now,” he says.

“My life has turned out better than expected. This profession allows me to treat my patients, to teach my students and junior doctors, and to counsel my patients and their families. There really can’t be a better job than this.”

15

Mount ElizabEth novEna – wE arE hErE!

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snapshots

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nurses’ day tribute

A message from Parkway Pantai’s Group Director of Nursing, Elaine Ng, to the pillars of healthcare.

Nursing is both an art and a science, founded on values of compassion, respect, service excellence and teamwork. From prevention and treatment to end-of-life care, nurses play an important role in the full spectrum of patient care and are integral to the healthcare system.

The work we do is privileged – being able to touch the lives of patients and their families in the most intimate way and during times of their greatest and most profound need.

To me, a good nurse is one who leaves a footprint in the lives of others. Besides attitude, skills and knowledge, nurses need to embody the 5Ps, which are Passion, Patience, People focus, Professionalism and Perseverance.

nurses of todayNurses today assume multiple roles. Apart from being bedside caregivers, they are also advocators, educators, and counsellors, playing an active role in regulatory quality, quality improvement and patient safety. They are also entrusted to look after patients’ emotional well-being and build a trusting relationship with them as these have a positive impact on clinical outcome.

No two days are ever the same in nursing. And as healthcare gets more complex with an aging population and higher expectations, nurses have to learn to embrace change and keep up with transformations in the healthcare system.

Technology is one example. Nurses of today must be adequately IT savvy to keep up with new systems and

continued on page 20 -->

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in good hands

words of encouragement

Heartfelt messages to our dedicated nurses.

As a nurse, you know that your care and dedication bring much joy and comfort to our patients. Everyday you touch lives or a life will touch yours. As we celebrate Nurses’ Day, we want you to feel valued, just as you have proven yourselves to be invaluable to us.Last year, Gleneagles Hospital successfully implemented 13 work improvement projects to enhance work efficiency and the quality of patient care. This would not have been possible without your participation and commitment, and most of all, your strong desire to want to give the best to our patients. Thank you for this remarkable achievement and for fulfilling our mission to make a difference in people’s lives through excellent patient care.Happy Nurses’ Day! Keep up the good work.

Josephine Ong Director of Nursing

Gleneagles Hospital

Nursing is a rewarding and attractive career. Through nursing, many opportunities present themselves, as we learn specific skills while working in a technologically advanced environment alongside expert doctors and specialised allied healthcare partners.As nurses, we share common characteristics such as compassion, caring and trustworthiness. Our work also requires us to be critical thinkers, trained observers and creative problem solvers. These attributes become our identity. To open up new boundaries, I urge you to continue to pursue higher education and build your knowledge through in-services and continuing education. To all nurses at Parkway East Hospital, thank you for being in my team and we shall continue to make a difference in people’s lives. Happy Nurses’ Day!

Saudamany Hong Director of Nursing

Parkway East Hospitalcontinued on page 20 -->

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We also offer them three paths to advance their careers along the tracks of management, clinical and education.

A solid education framework is in place, with educational programmes and sponsorships to develop their clinical competency and build their confidence. In addition, we give our nurses opportunities to develop their leadership skills and empower them to make decisions that will enhance patient care.

All these are to ensure our nurses have a fulfilling career with us.

To you, our pillars of healthcare, Happy Nurses’ Day.

equipment, especially with the move towards “paper-less” electronic medical record systems.

training and recognitionAt Parkway Pantai, we value and respect our nurses and we aim to bring out the best in them by providing a positive working environment, which promotes excellence and staff retention.

Nurses with the right attitude, competency and commitment are recognised at our annual nursing awards, which comprises four categories: Most Promising Nurse, Outstanding Preceptor, Nurse I Admire Most and Inspiring Nurse Leader.

words of encouragement

Heartfelt messages to our dedicated nurses.

Nursing is a very special calling. What makes me proud is the way you go about delivering care and comfort to the sick with great aplomb and no fanfare. This Nurses’ Day, I would like to salute and thank each and every one of you for your courage, dedication and passion. Last August, we opened a Nurse Training and Resource Centre at Mount Elizabeth Hospital to encourage you to further your learning. By keeping your thirst of knowledge alive, we hope to develop you into our next Shining Star following in the footsteps of your fellow colleagues Ms Tham Lee Len (MOH Merit Award 2012), Miss Doreen Chow (Tan Chin Tuan Award 2011) and Ms Seh Cheah Fang (CEO Service Excellence Award 2011).To my dedicated nurses, be proud of what you do in nurturing the health of individuals, and continue working with the same zest and enthusiasm. Happy Nurses’ Day!

Jessy Woo Director of Nursing

Mount Elizabeth Hospital

This Nurses’ Day is special as it is our very first celebration after the opening of the new Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital. I am grateful to have all of you with me this past year, as we overcome challenges to get the hospital set up in time for operational readiness. Thank you for persevering with long late evenings at work and short hurried meals between travelling from the Balestier project office to the hospital construction site, rain or shine. Despite the physical discomfort on site, together we were able to work with the construction team to plan the new premises, work on our Standard Operating Policies & Procedures and Clinical Work Instructions, and develop Quality Assurance and related system and clinical competency training programmes for all our staff.Kudos to all of you! I would also like to add my appreciation to our peers and colleagues from our sister hospitals for offering and rendering assistance whenever it was needed. My best wishes to all of you for a Happy Nurses’ Day 2012. I look forward to greater team camaraderie and delivery of operational excellence with our “same, same, but different” mind-set.

Penny Seet Director of Nursing

Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital

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in good hands

across borders

A patient comes to Mount Elizabeth Hospital (MEH) from halfway across the world in search of answers.

When Alejandro Chaparro Gonzalez was posted to Miri, Sarawak on a work-related assignment, little did he expect to find a solution to his knee problem in Dr Jeffrey Chew, an orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore.

“In my circle of friends there, there were some sporty people who had similar problems as me. I saw how they had benefitted from the treatment in Singapore and each one of them spoke highly of Dr Jeffrey Chew. I knew I had to get in touch with this doctor in Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre,” said the mechanical engineer from Venezuela.

early onset osteoarthritisThe 47-year-old started playing football when he was four and as a teenager, had developed commendable skills enough to play for a Venezuelan club. At his peak, he was playing football for a few hours every day about four to five times a week. However, when he was 15, a severe meniscus injury put his football career at risk.

“I still continued to play but then, when I was 16 or 17, I was involved in a car accident and that made things worse. After that I had to stop playing because my knee became too inflamed and painful,” said Alejandro.

21

en route

Nevertheless, he remained active in other

sports such as karate, swimming, and volleyball, though not at the same

frequency or intensity as before.

About 20 years later, the old knee injury came back to haunt him in the form of osteoarthritis. Although accepted as a normal occurrence in post-menopausal women as they age, in an active man in his mid-30s, it was a blow.

finally, a different optionWorking in the energy industry brought him to different parts of the world, giving him the opportunity to seek the opinions of various orthopaedic surgeons.

“Every doctor I saw recommended a total knee replacement. I wasn’t keen on replacing my knee joint with an artificial one because I knew if I had any problems after that, there would be no other options. But the problem was no one had another option for me!” lamented the father of two daughters and the doting grandfather of an 18-month-old.

When he eventually got to know of Dr Chew, Alejandro was not able to arrange for a consult immediately as his insurance did not cover treatment outside of

venezuela Malaysia. So he did the next best thing – he contacted him through email and phone messages.

“I know Dr Chew is a very busy person but I was impressed by how fast he responded to my email and phone messages despite the different time zones we were in. Never once did I feel like I was missing out on the personal touch. He was very accurate in his assessment and could tell me exactly how I was feeling and what I was having difficulty doing. He also did say that I would need a total knee replacement eventually but at my current age and activity level he didn’t think it was the best option for me for now. Finally I found someone who could offer me a second option,” shared Alejandro.

high tibial osteotomy The alternative that Dr Chew had recommended is known as the opening wedge high tibial osteotomy. In this procedure, making a cut just below the knee realigns the axis of the bone. The wedge is then kept open by metal implants and artificial bone, thereby preserving the knee joint. There is also no bone loss and the patient regains the height he had lost.

Once his contract in Malaysia ended and he joined another company that had international insurance coverage, Alejandro contacted Dr Chew to set a date for the surgery.

“I was in Venezuela at that time and my work schedule made it difficult for me to find a suitable timing for the surgery. Then at one point, I was told that I was going to be posted to Kazakhstan, where the winters can get as cold as -30 degrees. I knew my knee would not be able to take that. I set a date quickly,” said Alejandro.

In February 2010, he finally met Dr Chew face-to-face, a day before his surgery. His MRI images and results of other studies had already been forwarded to Dr Chew prior to that. All the hospital arrangements too had been made for him through Dr Chew’s clinic, which also liaised with his insurance company.

“As Dr Chew had explained everything in detail, I knew exactly what was going to be done in the operation theatre. He had also prepared me mentally for the pain that would follow. The recovery occurred exactly the way he had described it would – I stayed in the hospital for about a week, and moved to a friend’s house for

22

en route

Dr Chew had given me detailed instructions and I followed them exactly. After six weeks, I could start walking without crutches and after eight weeks I was back in the office.

another week, and then flew back to Venezuela. Dr Chew had given me detailed instructions and I followed them exactly. After six weeks, I could start walking without crutches and after eight weeks I was back in the office. In July 2010, I was posted to Kazakhstan and had no problem surviving the winter,” said Alejandro.

Dr Chew, however, emphasised that the procedure is not recommended for everyone and that total knee replacement is actually a very effective surgery, especially in someone who is older and has a less demanding lifestyle. The newer artificial joints can easily last up to 20 years, he revealed.

staying connectedDespite being posted to various countries across the globe, Alejandro was able to communicate with Dr Chew through technology that made the whole process possible.

Dr Chew also credited his team of surgeons at his clinic. Because he is able to discuss complex cases with his team, Dr Chew believes they are able to reproduce the successful results in their patients. It comes as no surprise then why he is highly recommended by his patients.

In fact, Alejandro returned to MEH in May 2012 for another much simpler procedure on his other knee, and has even brought along medical images of a potential patient – his sister.

“I could have gone to another doctor near home I suppose, but I trust Dr Chew and I am very happy with the treatment I have received from him and the entire hospital. So when people ask why I come all the way to Singapore, I always tell them it is the only place I will go to for any problems with my health,” said Alejandro.

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a helping hand

Pantai Hospitals continue their community outreach efforts in more ways than one.

Staff of Pantai Hospital Ipoh (PHI) rolled up their sleeves early Sunday morning on 6 May 2012 to clean up the neighbourhood, in an activity known locally as Gotong-Royong.

The community service event organised by PHI saw 70 of its employees joining hands with their counterparts from the neighbouring Inland Revenue Department and a dozen nearby residents to clear clogged drains, remove silt along roads, and prune trees.

The City Council, Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh, supported the initiative by providing heavy machinery and equipment such as trucks, drainage tankers, sky lifts and a whole range of hand tools.

After three hours of hard work, the efforts of all were rewarded with a satisfying lunch in the presence of great company.

iPoh

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en route

Apart from answering the queries of the enthusiastic crowd, the PHP team also took the opportunity to impart essential health tips and medical information to the public through a health talk.

raising awarenessOn 21 April 2012, PHP, in collaboration with the National Cancer Society Malaysia (Penang

Branch), organised a public forum to raise awareness of colorectal cancer. About 50 participants who attended to learn more about this dangerous disease enjoyed a free faecal occult blood test, which is used to detect colon cancer.

Over at Kedah, some 200 teachers, staff and parents of SMK Baling also benefitted from

Pantai Hospital Sungai Petani’s corporate social responsibility initiative to provide free body mass index and blood pressure tests on 2 May 2012.

PENANG

health checks and talksPantai Hospital Penang (PHP) offered free health checks including blood pressure and blood glucose tests to over 300 members of the public during The Star Wellness and Fitness Fair held on 7 and 8 April 2012. Apart from answering the queries of the enthusiastic crowd, the PHP team also took the opportunity to impart essential health tips and medical information to the public through a health talk.

Kedah

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in honour of

International Nurses’ Day is celebrated around the world, to mark the contributions nurses make to society. Mosaic captures the highlights of the Nurses’ Day celebrations at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL) and Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh (PHAK).

It was Nurses’ Day with a difference for the 20 nurses and staff of PHAK who visited Rumah Seri Kenangan Cheng on 11 May 2012 and delighted the needy elderly residents with companionship, gifts, and free health checks.

“All of us felt good about giving back to society and using our skills to help the less fortunate. Seeing how the senior citizens welcomed us with so much grace and warmth, we were greatly touched by their kind gestures of appreciation,” said Nursing Officer Mariah Md Sani.

Anuar Bin Hamza, a representative from the home, was filled with gratitude for PHAK’s visit and donation of food and towels. “Most of our 197 residents here are bed-ridden. Many of them have no next-of-kin or are

Kuala luMPur

MelaCCa

abandoned by their families. It’s wonderful that the nurses and staff from Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh are here to lift up their spirits and ease their loneliness. The basic health checks also come in handy as some of our residents are in poor health,” said Anuar.

Chief Executive Officer of PHAK Gan Kong Hoe said, “Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh is proud to have a caring community of nurses who are committed in their profession to deliver quality patient care to those in need. The visit to Rumah Seri Kenangan Cheng, as part of the International Nurses’ Day celebration this year, is an extension of the altruistic work our nurses have established from the previous year in which proceeds

26

en route

This award sets out to recognise nursing as a noble profession, which is key to attracting and retaining talent for the continuing performance and success of the healthcare industry. – Madam Tan Suet Guan

Support Staff, and Most Popular Nurse.

“This award sets out to recognise nursing as a noble profession, which is key to attracting and retaining talent for the continuing performance and success of the healthcare industry,” said Madam Tan.

She added that this innovative endeavour by PHKL supports the Malaysian government’s efforts under the Economic Transformation Programme to enforce quality care in both public and private sectors as well as to identify gaps to streamline health services.

from a food festival the nurses spearheaded were channelled to various charitable organisations.”

awards of excellenceOn 11 May 2012, PHKL announced its first batch of winners for the newly launched Nurse Awards of Excellence.

The award was the brainchild of PHKL’s Chief Executive Officer (Ad-Interim), Madam Tan Suet Guan to recognise exemplary nurses under the categories of: Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, Team of the Year, Most Promising

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a milestone partnership

Changi General Hospital (CGH) has turned to Parkway East Hospital (PEH) for the space it needs to handle its volume of patients.

Digital Vision/Thinkstock

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at your service

In a landmark collaboration between the public and the private sector, PEH has leased 30 beds to CGH to help ease the bed crunch at CGH.

The Singapore government has been trying to optimise healthcare capacity in Singapore by tapping on private healthcare players. Dr Tan See Leng, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Parkway Pantai Limited said, “Parkway Pantai Group has always been supportive of the Ministry of Health’s policies and we look forward to playing a greater role in public-private partnership.”

Chief Executive Officer of PEH Dr Vincent Chia added, “With this collaboration, we are happy that more patients will come to know of Parkway East Hospital’s conducive and caring environment, our professional and compassionate medical care, and the quality and wide-ranging healthcare services that we provide.

“Parkway East Hospital has a long-established reputation for its personalised approach to patient care, serving the community in the east. As the only hospital in this area offering resident maternity, gynaecology and ophthalmology services, we make it convenient for

our patients to have all of their healthcare needs met in one location.”

PEH welcomed the first CGH patient on 8 May 2012, after a month-long renovation to create the 30-bed Ward 3B on Level 3. Special care was taken to minimise disruption to patients while the reconfiguration was taking place. PEH also worked closely with the CGH team to ensure the newly created ward meets the specific needs of CGH’s patients.

Under an agreement signed between Ministry of Health and Parkway Pantai on 23 March 2012, CGH will admit patients with stable medical conditions to PEH’s Ward 3B. The 30-bed ward made up of single rooms, double rooms and a multiple-bed room will be staffed and managed by CGH nurses, doctors and allied health professionals.

Parkway Pantai Group has always been supportive of the Ministry of Health’s policies and we look forward to playing a greater role in public-private partnership. – Dr Tan See Leng

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speed and precision

With cutting-edge technology at their command, Gleneagles Hospital (GEH) and Mount Elizabeth Hospital (MEH) lead the way in achieving better outcomes for common eye conditions in Singapore.

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new science

Parkway Pantai’s commitment to improving clinical outcomes and raising levels of patient satisfaction is yet again evident through its investment in two new and exciting technological advancements in recent months for the treatment of eye conditions.

improved lens replacementCataract surgery has gone high-tech at Parkway Eye Centres in GEH and MEH with the introduction of LenSx Laser.

Dr Lee Hung Ming, Medical Director of Parkway Eye Centre at GEH, performed the first laser-assisted bladeless cataract surgery in Singapore. The procedure, known as LenSx Laser cataract surgery, allows the surgeon to plan each step of the procedure and customise the approach for each patient. As a result, patients will experience less trauma to the eye.

Cataract is a common eye condition among the elderly, especially in those over 55. In these patients, the lens, which is the transparent part of the eye that helps to focus an image, becomes cloudy. This causes them to perceive only blurred images.

Traditionally, cataract surgery is performed by surgeons via a manual incision on the cornea, a manual incision of the capsule surrounding the lens, followed by ultrasound fragmentation of the lens and removal of the fragmented lens. An artificial lens is then fitted into the patient’s eye.

The procedure is, therefore, heavily reliant on the surgeon’s skill. The incision of the capsule needs to be precisely centred so that the new lens can be accurately placed. If the incision is even a millimetre out of place, the patient may still experience other vision problems such as astigmatism after the operation.

precision laser surgeryWith the LenSx Laser, everything is computerised. A video microscope allows the surgeon to use the patient’s eye as a visual reference when programming the laser’s settings. Each cut to be performed is programmed according to size, shape and location of the incision, lens fragmentation and depth of cut, all after taking into account minute eye movements. A laser then makes the cuts instead of a blade.

“As every human eye is unique in its size, depth

and curvature of the cornea, this technology allows for customisation to every patient and results in less trauma to the eye. Compared to the traditional method of treatment, this latest advancement offers consistent precision, which is absolutely critical when dealing with something as delicate as the eye. This is indeed a very exciting advancement for practitioners like myself who have been doing cataract eye surgery for many years,” said Dr Lee.

How is tHe Lensx Laser cataract surgery performed?

31

Dr Chua Wei Han, Medical Director of Parkway Eye Centre at MEH, added, “With LenSx Laser, the lens is first fragmented by the laser into several equal parts prior to further break up of each part into tiny pieces using ultrasound. This reduces the total exposure of the patient’s eye to ultrasound energy, which in turn lowers the risk of damage to surrounding structures of the eye such as the cornea.”

enhanced corneal strengtheningAt MEH, Dr Chua also pioneered the use of a new state-of-the-art system which helps to strengthen a weakened cornea in a much shorter time than was previously needed in a procedure called corneal

collagen cross-linking (CXL). The Avedro KXL System will benefit patients with keratoconus undergoing CXL as they will experience less discomfort with the faster and more consistent treatment. The risk of infection is potentially reduced with the new system as well.

Keratoconus is a disease in which the cornea loses its regular shape and becomes deformed in association with thinning and weakening. The condition is usually detected during mid-teens to early adulthood and progresses until the third and fourth decades of life.

As keratoconus progresses, it results in irregular astigmatism, short-sightedness and blurry vision. Glasses or soft contact lenses may help initially in mild cases but vision tends to deteriorate over time with some patients requiring rigid gas-permeable contact lenses for vision correction. Ultimately, some patients undergo corneal transplant surgery when rigid contact lenses are either no longer adequate in providing satisfactory vision or no longer tolerated.

the CXL procedureCXL has emerged as an effective technique to slow or stop the progression of keratoconus by increasing the stiffness and rigidity of the cornea. The use of the Avedro KXL System during CXL not only reduces the procedure time to under 15 minutes compared with the one hour required in a standard CXL, it also offers better precision by ensuring uniform cross-linking of the collagen.

wHat Happens during cxL

We strive to bring the best treatments to patients by investing in the latest medical technology. By seeking to improve clinical outcomes and raise levels of patient satisfaction, we will reinforce Singapore’s position as a premier medical hub for the Asian region.

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new science

“This improved form of CXL is a promising treatment for patients with progressive keratoconus who want to avoid the natural deterioration of the eye disease and subsequent need for corneal transplant surgery. We have seen very positive results in our patients who have received this treatment, all of whom report minimal discomfort during the procedure,” shared Dr Chua.

raising the bar “Our investment in medical technology enables us to offer patients a wider range of healthcare services. The machines are available for use by doctors

accredited by the Parkway Pantai Group of hospitals. We are proud to be the first in Singapore to offer these new treatments to patients here,” said Dr Kelvin Loh, Chief Executive Officer, MEH.

Dr Kok Mun Foong, Chief Executive Officer GEH said, “We strive to bring the best treatments to patients by investing in the latest medical technology. By seeking to improve clinical outcomes and raise levels of patient satisfaction, we will reinforce Singapore’s position as a premier medical hub for the Asian region.”

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According to the 2010 Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS) conducted by the Institute of Mental Health, one in 16 people in Singapore suffered from major depressive disorder (MDD) at some point in their lifetime, one in 29 from alcohol abuse, and one in 33 from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

breaking the mental

health taboo

Many of us will suffer from some sort of mental illness in our lives. Yet few are willing to admit or seek help because they do not think it is serious enough or are uncomfortable with the stigma associated with mental illness. Dr Ang Yong Guan tells you why being honest is the first step to healing.

Digital Vision/Thinkstock

Yet, even for common disorders like these, the average time taken to seek help was four years for MDD, nine years for OCD and 13 years for alcohol abuse.

The SMHS study also shows that among those who suffered from a mental illness, only 22.1% had

34

your health

One in 16 people in Singapore suffered from major depressive disorder (MDD) at

some point in their lifetime, one in 29 from alcohol abuse, and one in 33 from

obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

understand. Moreover, as adherence to medication is vital to prevent a relapse, I would spend time explaining to the patient and family members what the medications are for and what the possible side effects are.

After reviewing the patient over a period of time, the inevitable question will crop up: “Doctor, when can I stop medication?” Unlike a physical illness where it is clear that one stops medication when the infection is resolved, there is no one-size-fits-all approach in the case of mental illness. For severe disorders, especially those with a few relapses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, I may advise life-long medication to keep the patient symptom-free. For milder cases, I would advise medication for say up to a year or two and then reduce the dosage gradually over a month or two before finally stopping.

More importantly, I emphasise a lot on adopting a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, having hobbies, positive thinking, meditation, mindfulness, and relationship building.

consulted a psychiatrist. The rest preferred to see a counsellor (21.6%), a general practitioner (18%) or a religious or spiritual healer (12%).

Whilst the ravages of alcohol abuse and OCD may not be immediately life-threatening, an undiagnosed and untreated severe MDD can sometimes lead to suicide. Hence, we need to encourage people to seek treatment early and help them understand that mental illness is just like any other form of illness. The earlier it is treated, the faster the recovery.

recognising the problemIn the initial assessment of the patients, I would pay close attention to their current problems and how they have evolved to their present state. To better understand the patients, I would look into their personality, paying special attention to their childhood, hobbies, strengths and weaknesses and relationship with family members, classmates or friends. I would also look out for patients who are pessimistic and who constantly worry over trivial matters.

This will give me a picture of how secure or vulnerable they are in dealing with stress and how prone they are to developing psychiatric disorders. I would check for obsessive and compulsive behaviours, including those with a strong urge to be perfect all the time, as such individuals are easily affected by adverse events in their lives. I would also ask about family history of mental illness as the genetic component is very strong for certain psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

From this, I would be able to formulate a diagnosis which takes into account all relevant aspects of the patient’s life and offer the most appropriate treatment plan which includes medication, counselling and education for patient or caregivers.

education is keyI believe strongly in the importance of educating our patients and their family members. This is because psychiatry, which currently lacks objective diagnostic blood or scan results, relies heavily on what the patients tell us and how we interpret their symptoms. In return, we must convey our understanding of their diagnoses in a language that is clear and simple to

Dr Ang Yong Guan

35

At Camelia Ward, more than 40 qualified psychiatrists accredited with MEH work with a skilled and experienced team of psychologists, counsellors, nurses and other allied staff to ensure each patient receives the best care as they embark on their journey of recovery.

The behavioural and psychological health service on Level 10 of MEH applies sophisticated clinical programmes and sound management techniques in treating individuals with emotional, behavioural or

choose hope Mount Elizabeth Hospital (MEH) is the only private hospital in Singapore with a dedicated ward (Camelia Ward) for treatment of mental disorders. It adopts a multi-disciplinary and customised approach to help patients achieve mental well-being.

mental disorders.

Patients at Camelia Ward are assured of attentive bedside care and an empathetic listening ear as they learn to cope with life’s challenges and build up their mental health. Each room is designed with comfort and safety in mind, so that patients can recover in a pleasing and restful environment. Special safety features are in place to protect patients in the event of extreme behavioural expressions.

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your health

Other custOmised prOgrammes

•

inpatient servicesCamelia Ward provides comprehensive inpatient care. A multi-disciplinary team works closely with the patient and/or his family to customise a treatment plan which starts from inpatient stay to after discharge:

• Individual Therapy helps patients to gain a better perspective of their problems and develop alternative solutions.

• Couple and Family Therapy provides psychoeducation for couples and the family, and facilitates the role of external support in the patient’s recovery.

• Expressive Therapy helps clients develop self awareness, learn problem-solving techniques and in turn, enhance self-esteem and self-efficacy.

• Medication Management informs the patient and family members about the medicine that is prescribed, its side effects and the significance of compliance.

• Discharge and Aftercare Planning helps patients achieve continuous well-being through follow-up counselling sessions and tailored day programmes after discharge.

outpatient servicesCamelia Ward also offers a comprehensive range of outpatient services ranging from initial consultations, psychological assessments and counselling to psychotherapy and expressive therapy:

• Psychological Assessments are conducted by professional psychologists to identify psychological, emotional, behavioural or learning issues. These include personality tests, neuropsychological tests, and intelligence/achievement tests.

• Individual Therapy helps individuals experiencing personal life challenges gain a better perspective of their problems and develop alternative solutions.

• Couple and Family Therapy aims to improve relationship dynamics and facilitate the achievement of positive solutions for patients and their family.

• Addiction Counselling helps and supports patients suffering from an addiction to break out of the cycle and embark on a relapse prevention programme.

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accolades

first class service

I was extremely impressed by the efficiency and service of Regina Martin of the Refund Team. She was very responsive and took it upon herself to expedite the refund, and went the extra mile by liaising with the Central Provident Fund on my behalf.

The experience was indeed first class! I am proud that Parkway East Hospital has such a wonderful and helpful staff. She is definitely an asset to your esteemed organisation. Well done!

special appreciation

My father was recently admitted to Gleneagles Hospital following a fall at home. Unfortunately, he sustained an intertrochanteric fracture and had to be operated on.

on behalf of my family, i would like to record our sincere appreciation and thanks to the wonderful nursing officers, staff nurses, enrolled nurses, and ancillary staff of Ward 10 West.

two of them stood out for special mention:

• En Chen Jin, who went out of her way to bathe and clean my father. she would patiently clean, wash, and change him. Her dedication and patience were exemplary and we hope she will keep this up. We were very touched by her sincerity and devotion to duty.

• Mr Bhasker, our valet. We had to trouble him for vegetarian food and he was very kind to even buy special food from outside of the hospital, something my father appreciated very much. His caring and kindness made our father’s stay a pleasant and positive experience.

We would also like to thank the angels in the operating theatre and intensive care Unit, who nursed him very capably and professionally during the peri-operative period. special thanks go to staff nurse sumathi who, despite being pregnant, was there for his every need.

please assure all your staff that their actions do not go unnoticed and do encourage them to always give their best.

first-tiMe visit

We took our son to parkway east Hospital for a head wound and were very impressed given this was our first visit there. the waiting time was not too long, and Dr vivian chan who treated him was excellent – professional, pleasant, and compassionate. the nurses and other staff were all very helpful and pleasant.

a big thank-you and congratulations!

a WoMan’s toUcH

i would like to thank Ms patricia ang, radiographer from parkwayHealth Radiologic Clinic, Jurong East Branch.

i had a mammogram and ultrasound done. i was nervous, but patricia made it comfortable and less stressful. she was cheerful and approachable. the frontline staff should learn from patricia. parkway is lucky to have a staff member like her.

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accolades

trUe DeDication

the following staff provided exceptional service, making my stay at Gleneagles Hospital pleasant and memorable:

• Dr Anthony Siow, for his great professionalism, care, and unassuming disposition. Despite his tight schedule, he made sure that he found time to see me at least once a day and attend to any queries my husband and i had. a very charismatic and patient doctor.

• Nurse Khin Khin Mon, for her attentive nature, advice, and sharing of her valuable personal experiences, and comforting words, which made me very assured and positive.

• Trainee Nurse Nang Amayar Htun (amanda) for always putting a smile on her face. i could sense that she was always trying her best when attending to me. once when she helped to bathe me, her pants and shoes got all wet in the process and she seemed unperturbed and just focused on attending to me. i am sure with her dedication and passion, Ms nang will be a great nurse in the future.

• Lastly, my heartfelt appreciation and thanks go to Nurse Manager Katherine ong, senior nurse ivy lim, sook Hui, Daryl, Jane (F&B), Rani (cleaning lady), and all other staff nurses for making my stay here comfortable and pleasant.

Our patients and visitors share their appreciation of the quality service

provided by our Parkway Pantai staff.

a MotHer’s GratitUDe

We are writing to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the staff that made our stay at Gleneagles Hospital a pleasant one. special mention should go to:

• Senior Physiotherapist Tan Lay Kean for the genuine care and concern shown to my daughter during every treatment. Her attentiveness and professionalism are most admirable.

• Staff Nurse Sabrina Ayesha Noor for her attention to detail, care and empathy shown to us.

• Dr Khor Chong Chneah, who did the first blood test, was fast and accurate, and made it pretty much pain-free. Ms Siti Ainshah Binte Johari, who did the second one (finger prick), was gentle and fast.

• Lastly, not forgetting the rest of the staff who took care of her day and night.

iron laDies

I would like to thank the team of dedicated staff and trainee nurses in Ward 3B during my stay in Mount Elizabeth Hospital (MEH) from 22 December 2011 to 26 January 2012. During my stay in MEH for treatment, everyone from the nursing team showed their professionalism, care, patience, and encouragement. I was really touched by how dedicated the team was.I sincerely thank all of you “iron ladies” from Ward 3B for taking care of me. I especially want to thank Senior Staff Nurse Shehnaz Binte Adam for her encouragement throughout the period of my stay.Thank you all!

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40

coupons

ServeS 4

1 medium-ripe mango, peeled, and cut into medium-sized cubes

200ml Greek yogurt

4 wholegrain waffles (such as Kellogs Nutri-Grain; can be found in the freezer section of the supermarket)

Seeds of 1 fresh pomegranate

Zest of 1 lime

Tropical Waffles

By chef Travis Masiero

TIP

The best way to extract pomegranate seeds is to cut the fruit in half under water in a large bowl. rub and separate the seeds from the husk and membranes. extracting under water helps contain the spatter stains from popping seeds. The membranes f loat to the top of the water, staying separate from the edible seeds.

Scoop the white membranes out to discard, drain the seeds well and they’re ready for use!

DIreCTIONS

Blitz the mango and yogurt in a blender until smooth and creamy. Toast the waffles according to the

directions on the box. Remove the waffles and cut each into four pieces.

Start assembling your dish by laying one piece of waffle on a plate and topping it with the mango yogurt, some pomegranate seeds and finally,

a sprinkle of lime zest. Do this three more times, so that the waffles are stacked, and then serve.

This recipe is adapted with kind permission from Parkway Cancer Centre’s Awakening the Appetite.