How do neurological conditions affect patients’ lives?

Brain, nerve and spine conditions can present in different ways and at different times in people’s lives, for example: Stroke and brain injuries caused by accidents occur suddenly, changing patients’ lives in an instant. Epilepsy often starts in childhood and many children grow out the condition, but epilepsy can also occur in adults due to brain tumours, severe head injury, stroke or alcohol/drug abuse. Dementia, Parkinson’s disease and motor neuron disease often appear gradually and get worse over time. Dementia and Parkinson’s disease are common among the elderly but they can also occur in people in their 30s and 40s.

Neurology and Neurosurgery | Neurological Conditions & Treatments

Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) and the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) have collaborated to bring neuroscience services closer to patients living with brain, spine and nerve conditions in north-eastern Singapore.

Comprising a strong multidisciplinary team of neurologists, neurosurgeons and nurse clinicians, the NNI team at SKH offers a comprehensive range of services to treat, advise and support patients with neurological conditions.

Our Services

NNI specialists at SKH treat the following conditions

Neurology

Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia
Epilepsy
Headaches and Migraine
Neuromuscular Disorders e.g. motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders
Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs)

Neurosurgery

Aneurysm, a bulge or ballooning of a blood vessel in the brain
Arteriovenous malformations, an abnormal 'tangle' of blood vessels
Brain tumours
Hydrocephalus, a condition where cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain
Intracranial Haemorrhage, where bleeding occurs in the skull
Spine Surgeries
Traumatic Brain Injuries

The Neurosurgery team also provides 24/7 coverage for neurosurgical emergencies, such as head and spine injuries caused by industrial and traffic accidents.

Providing comprehensive care

Dementia, stroke, spine disorders and other neurological conditions can greatly affect patients’ mobility, independence and quality of life. Healthcare teams across the hospital work collaboratively and across specialties to develop treatment plans to best meet each patient’s needs. These can include:

Prescribing appropriate medication
Neuroradiology services, e.g. CT and MRI scans
Therapy e.g. speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Advance care planning and palliative care

Seeing our specialists

Referrals are accepted from polyclinics, general practitioners and private hospitals. For a private consultation with a neurologist or neurosurgeon at SKH, please call us at 6930-6000 or email: appointments@skh.com.sg (for appointment requests only). Once you have spoken to one of our friendly staff, we will guide you through the next steps to see one of our neurologists or neurosurgeons.

About the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI)

The National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) is the national and regional specialist centre for conditions of the brain, spine, nerves and muscles. NNI offers treatment for over 20 subspecialties, including stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, brain tumours and brain injury. NNI specialists are based at six hospitals across Singapore.

Location
Sengkang General Hospital
Medical Centre, Level 5

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm

Contact Details

To make an appointment, please contact 6930-6000
or Email: appointments@skh.com.sg
(for appointment requests only).

Conditions We Treat

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Epilepsy Headache and Migraine Neuromuscular Disorders Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Sleep Disorders Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs)

FAQs

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Symptoms that may require referral to a neurologist or neurosurgeon include chronic or severe headaches, memory problems, seizures and back pain. However, the brain, nervous system and spine also control movement, so patients with hand tremors, walking difficulties and pain or numbness in the legs may also be referred to the Neuroscience Clinic.

Lower back pain is common and can often be treated at home with a hot or cold compress and pain killers that can be bought in pharmacies. However, one in 10 cases are more serious and should be seen by a doctor. Click here to read an article by Dr Colum Nolan, Head of Neurosurgery, SKH and Consultant, Department of Neurosurgery, NNI, on when you should see a doctor for back pain.

One of the challenges of brain conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease and brain tumours is there is currently no diagnostic blood test. Therefore, your specialist will need to ask you questions about your symptoms and may need to order several tests to determine what is causing your health problems and to treat and monitor your condition. These could range from physical examinations to specialised ultrasound and MRI scans.

Brain, nerve and spine conditions can present in different ways and at different times in people’s lives, for example:

Stroke and brain injuries caused by accidents occur suddenly, changing patients’ lives in an instant.
Epilepsy often starts in childhood and many children grow out the condition, but epilepsy can also occur in adults due to brain tumours, severe head injury, stroke or alcohol/drug abuse.
Dementia, Parkinson’s disease and motor neuron disease often appear gradually and get worse over time. Dementia and Parkinson’s disease are common among the elderly but they can also occur in people in their 30s and 40s.

Our Care Team

Our neurology care team at Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) works in collaboration with the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) to bring neurosurgery and neuroscience services to Singaporeans who are closer to SKH. Equipped with a robust team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, healthcare professionals and nurse clinicians, the NNI unit at SKH offers a wide range of individualised, comprehensive and quality neuroscience services.

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News

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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

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