Sengkang General Hospital will NEVER ask you to transfer money over a call. If in doubt, call the 24/7 ScamShield helpline at 1799, or visit the ScamShield website at www.scamshield.gov.sg

Department of General Medicine

Synonym(s):

At the Department of General Medicine, we are committed to ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care through our twelve main sub-specialties (please refer to the list below). Our pursuit of clinical care excellence is supported by our ethos, culture and drive to continually search for better treatment for our patients.

Our patients often come in with not just one, but multiple and at times complex medical conditions. Our General Medicine team works closely with our team of specialists to provide broad-based, holistic and patient-centric care. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive clinical evaluation of the patient followed by evidence-based treatment.

We also believe strongly in preventive medicine and patient education, which empowers patients to contribute to the management of their conditions. We provide a range of medical services in the Department of General Medicine, including a 24-hour on-site service for acute undifferentiated medical emergencies and medically urgent conditions. We provide comprehensive specialist care in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

  1. Dermatology
  2. Endocrinology
  3. Gastroenterology and Hepatology
  4. Geriatric medicine
  5. Haematology
  6. Infectious disease
  7. Internal medicine
  8. Palliative care medicine
  9. Rehabilitation medicine
  10. Renal medicine
  11. Respiratory medicine
  12. Rheumatology

Overview

The Department of General Medicine comprises general internists and specialists who aim to provide comprehensive care for the person as a whole. We have clinics every day of the week to best meet the needs of our patients. The various disciplines within General Medicine enables us to provide holistic and coordinated care for patients with multiple medical conditions.

Despite the relative infancy of our department, we have been involved in various research activities in order to improve the lives of all patients at Sengkang General Hospital. One such example is that of the IPPT-S initiative, where elderly residents in the north-east areas of Singapore, such as parts of Sengkang and Punggol, were screened for frailty by undergoing a series of tests. Together with other healthcare professionals, we aim to prepare the elderly in Singapore adequately, and identify potential issues before a health crisis arises.

The Department of General Medicine also believes strongly in providing medical education and training programme to provide a strong foundation for future medical practitioners. Medical undergraduate colleagues from National University of Singapore (NUS) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Duke-NUS Medical School and Lee Kong Chian (LKC) School of Medicine are regularly attached to our department for first-hand training, mentoring, and learning on the frontlines.

Patients First

At Sengkang General Hospital, our dedicated physicians, nurses and staff are committed to providing coordinated care—safely and effectively.  Our team of specialists in the different disciplines are highly competent. We have a strong desire for patients to maximise their time at home and avoid time in the hospital. However,  when illness develops and is significant enough to require a hospital stay, the team strives to make your experience informed and comfortable.

By harnessing the collective expertise and knowledge of Sengkang General Hospital’s vast resources, including medical specialists, nurses, researchers, as well as allied health professionals from all fields, patients can be assured that their treatments are of a high standard.

We remain open and here for you. Your health and safety are our top priorities.

FAQs

What's the difference between Family Medicine and General Medicine?

In general, family physicians are trained to diagnose and treat an entire spectrum of medical issues for patients of all ages and provide long term treatment of chronic medical conditions. General Medicine physicians, on the other hand, has expertise on common adult medical conditions. We are able to provide diagnosis of complex medical conditions, plan treatment and management before discharging patients back into the care of our Family Medicine colleagues in the community.The training and education of General Medicine physicians focuses on internal medicine subspecialties, internists develop a comprehensive and deeper expertise in their respective fields. This allows them to diagnose a wide variety of diseases that commonly affect adults and to handle complicated cases where multiple conditions affect a single patient.

How do I find the best doctor for my condition?

At Sengkang General Hospital our team of specialist provides dedicated and quality clinical care. Make an appointment online, or browse the Find a doctor directory - it provides you with a comprehensive reference to our specialists including their qualification, background and awards.

News

SKH Doctor and Physiotherapist on Neck Pain and Ways to Protect Your Neck
Patient Care SKH Doctor and Physiotherapist on Neck Pain and Ways to Protect Your Neck Dr Chen Haobin, Senior Consultant, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, SKH, explained that neck pain is commonly caused by cervical spine degeneration, leading to neck soreness and stiffness. Nerve compression from bone spurs or herniated discs may cause radiating pain, numbness, or weakness. He advised seeking medical attention for persistent neck pain that cannot be relieved, severe neck pain after trauma, neck pain accompanied by unexplained fever or limb numbness, and symptoms lasting beyond six weeks. He also cautioned against forceful neck manipulation. Dr Bernice Liu, Senior Principal Physiotherapist, Department of Physiotherapy, SKH, shared that exercise therapy is key to managing neck pain and demonstrated simple exercises suitable for work and travelling. She advised reducing exercise intensity if mild numbness or tingling occurs during exercise, and to seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or affect coordination.
23 Dec 2025 | Lianhe Zaobao Read Story
Patient Care SKH Physiotherapist on Chronic Dizziness Ng Zhao Xiang, Senior Physiotherapist, SKH shared insights on managing chronic dizziness caused by inner ear problems such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and vestibular imbalance. He demonstrated three balance training exercises including vestibular-ocular reflex training, balance exercises on soft surfaces, and gait training with head turns to help patients improve their condition. Zhao Xiang emphasised the importance of performing these exercises in safe environments with support nearby and encouraged patients to seek professional physiotherapy support for personalised treatment plans.
08 Dec 2025 | Channel 8 News Online Read Story
Patient Care SKH Doctor on Appendicitis Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix that increases internal pressure, weakens the appendix wall, and can lead to rupture if undetected, allowing bacteria to multiply and infection to spread. Dr Tai Chia Hui, Associate Consultant, Department of Surgery, SKH, shared that appendicitis is common, affecting 1-2 per 1,000 people annually, with everyone having a 6-8% lifetime risk. Dr Tai explained the signs and symptoms, when to seek medical attention, treatment options and recovery after appendectomy, emphasising that early detection and prompt treatment can prevent rupture and reduce sepsis risk.
08 Dec 2025 | Berita Harian Read Story