FAQ for Next-of-Kin

We understand that you are worried about your loved one.

If your loved one is independent and communicative, we do not encourage you to visit or wait in the ED. This is to avoid any exposure of unnecessary risk and overcrowding. Please kindly wait at home while maintaining contact with the patient via his/her mobile phone.

If necessary, patients are allowed 1 accompanying next-of-kin (NOK) in our ED, except for patients in the isolation area.

Patients will be updated on their condition after their assessment. You may call the patient directly via his/her mobile phone to get an update.

We seek your understanding that our medical team is focusing on delivering care and treatment to patients and will only update the patient’s registered point of contact (POC) should there be any change in the patient’s condition.

Yes, you may pass items such as phone, charger and power bank, etc. to the patient at their bedside or to the staff or nurses at the ED’s screening station or counter.

For patients in isolation, you may pass the items to the nurses or staff at the ED’s screening station or counter.

Yes. If the patient has special needs, please inform our nurses at the Emergency Department. They will take note to provide the necessary care to the patient.

If necessary, patients are allowed 1 accompanying next-of-kin (NOK) in our Emergency Department, except for patients in the isolation area.

Patients in the observation area can request for light refreshments and hot beverages if they are not on any eating or drinking restrictions.

For patients waiting for admission, meals will be provided at these intervals, beyond which they may request for light refreshments and hot beverages:

Breakfast: 7.45am – 9am

Lunch: 11.45am – 1pm

Dinner: 5.45pm – 7pm

Once the patient has been transferred to the ward, we will SMS the patient’s Point of Contact (POC) the ward, room and bed details. You may wish to return home to wait for the SMS. In the meantime, the POC may be contacted for financial counselling regarding the patient’s choice of ward type and charges.

For more information, please refer to our admission guide.

If the patient is discharged from the ED, the medical team will prepare the discharge documents and plans for follow-up care.

If the patient is discharged from the Extended Diagnostic Treatment Unit (EDTU), our nurse will call the POC to inform of the patient’s pending discharge where necessary.