Q    :     I like to know more about the hospice homecare services that SCS provides.

A      :   The Hospice Homecare team comprises a doctor, nurse and volunteers who will co-ordinate a customised plan for each patient and family. The plan provides nursing/hospice and palliative care, education and support for patients and their family.

Services provided by the team include:

1. Home visits to administer pain relief, monitor the symptoms of the patient's disease and discuss possible treatment options available to them
2. Oncology nursing care during and following chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery; wound management, and giving dietary advice to patients with early stage cancer and terminally ill cancer patients as well as their family members
3. Educating patients and caregivers on the administration of subcutaneous injection
4. Routine flushing of central venous catheter and dressing of exit site
5. Providing emotional and psychological support for the patient and his family
6. Loan of medical and nursing equipment to assist the patient at home, e.g. oxygen concentrators, wheelchairs, commodes, walking aids
7. Providing welfare assistance to patients with financial difficulties

Q    :     How are patients referred to the Hospice Homecare team?

A    :     Patients are referred to the SCS Hospice Homecare team through the following institutions:

• The Cancer Institute and the National Cancer Centre Singapore
• The Patient’s primary doctor or general practitioner
• The medical social worker, surgeon or oncologist
• Family members, friends or the general public

Q    :     My uncle has stage 3 pancreatic cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. We have been caring for him. Are there any home care support groups, private home nursing care in Singapore, rental of hospital beds or any websites or material to read on how to care for terminally ill cancer patients?

A    :     There are a few home hospice services available in Singapore, namely Assisi Hospice, HCS Hospice Care, Metta Hospice, Bright Vision Hospice and Singapore Cancer Society.

            You can go into the web page of Singapore Hospice Council for further information: www.singaporehospice.org.sg
            There are also numerous private nursing homes available, attached is the MOH web site with the listing of both government and private nursing homes: http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/hcfacilitiesResidential.aspx

            There are various areas that rent beds and other equipments, if your uncle is in SGH, there is carelink service or you could seek the Medical Social Worker of the hospital to help source for these services.