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, one accompanying next-of-kin (NOK) is permitted 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, items such as phone, charger and power bank, may be passed to the patient at their bedside or handed to staff at the ED counter.

For patients in the isolation area, please pass items to the staff at the ED counter.

Yes. If the patient has special needs, please inform our nurses at the Emergency Department adn they will ensure the necessary care is provided to the patient.

If necessary, one accompanying next-of-kin (NOK) is permitted 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 are provided at the following times. Outside of these hours light refreshments and hot beverages are available on request:

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 while waiting 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.