New Proposed TTSH Medical Tower that is envisaged to add around 600 acute beds, an expanded Emergency Department, more operating theatres and specialist outpatient clinics
9 September 2025 - Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Mr Ong Ye Kung unveiled the next phase of the HealthCity Novena Master Plan, helmed by NHG Health's anchor hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). This development marks a pivotal step in NHG Health's roadmap in strengthening its healthcare capacity, advancing frailty-ready care and improving access and clinical care outcomes for the 1.5 million residents of Central and North Singapore.
Over the past 10 years, NHG Health has progressively expanded its infrastructure and clinical capabilities to meet the population's diverse and growing needs - it opened the Yishun Community Hospital; set up its third hospital campus and Singapore's latest hospital at Woodlands; introduced more polyclinics throughout the region and embarked on the HealthCity Novena Master Plan. Under the first phase of the HealthCity Novena Master Plan, five new developments were completed: the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine's Clinical Sciences Building (2017), the Ng Teng Fong Centre for Healthcare Innovation and National Centre for Infectious Diseases (2019), the National Skin Centre (2023), and the TTSH Integrated Care Hub (2024).
Next Phase: The New Proposed TTSH Medical Tower
The next phase will involve the redevelopment of the former Communicable Disease Centre 2 (CDC 2) and Annex 2 building sites into the proposed TTSH Medical Tower. This signals NHG Health's strategic focus on supporting the older resident population and advancing Healthier SG. The proposed TTSH Medical Tower is envisaged to add approximately 600 acute beds and house an expanded Emergency Department (ED).
TTSH serves a population with a higher-than-national-average proportion of seniors as it is surrounded by mature housing estates. In 2023, the hospital's inpatients aged 65 and above were 1.5 times that of the national norm for males and 2.2 times for females. To meet the needs of the seniors in our region, Phase Two of the HealthCity Novena Master Plan aims to transform the campus into a frailty-ready one, starting with the proposed TTSH Medical Tower. This will include care models and infrastructure to better serve frail patients, alongside the progressive renewal of the existing facilities.
The proposed TTSH Medical Tower aims to enhance access to specialist care. As more residents undergo preventive screening, those with newly detected or complex chronic conditions will need timely intervention. With the proposed expansion, patients will gain faster access to high-acuity support across the NHG Health-integrated network of specialists and transition more seamlessly between primary, tertiary and community care with shorter wait times.
Professor Joe Sim, Group Chief Executive Officer, NHG Health, said, "Phase Two of HealthCity Novena marks a significant milestone for NHG Health. Developed in careful consideration with the Ministry of Health, the HealthCity Novena Master Plan, which includes the proposed TTSH Medical Tower and ED expansion, will address current and future healthcare needs. It reflects our commitment to redesigning care that is sustainable, efficient and centred on the needs of our patients. Faster access to care, enhanced recovery models, and innovations within the hospital will complement our efforts to anchor care in the community, working closely with general practitioners, polyclinics, and community care partners in our region. This expansion also reinforces TTSH's role as an integral part of NHG Health's regional strategy to deliver accessible, patient-centred care across Central and Northern Singapore."
Expanding Emergency Care for the Ageing Population
TTSH is one of Singapore's busiest emergency care providers, serving as a critical first responder for diverse medical and national emergencies. TTSH is studying the relocation of the ED to the proposed TTSH Medical Tower and expanding it to accommodate the high volume of emergency attendances, particularly for older adults. Over the past three years, TTSH's ED has been managing more than 125,000 cases annually. Last year, about 40% of TTSH's ED patients were aged 65 and above, up from about 30% five years ago.
TTSH will also review workflows at the new ED to allow faster triage and care coordination and minimise unnecessary patient transfers. For instance, urgent but non-critical cases can go directly to operating theatres for swift intervention and be discharged after short monitoring—without the need for admission.
Said Adjunct Professor Tang Kong Choong, Chief Executive Officer of Tan Tock Seng Hospital, NHG Health, "As one of Singapore's busiest emergency and acute care providers, growing our capabilities is essential to cater to the increasing demand. In addition to the expansion of our ED, we will also add operating theatres, procedural suites, and Specialist Outpatient Clinics in the proposed TTSH Medical Tower. But just building more of the same will not be enough. We will be designing smart and thoughtful capacity that will anticipate and address challenges of a greying population, support the workforce and improve healthcare outcomes."
Faster Access and Shorter Stays for Patients
Demand for TTSH's services has grown significantly in recent years. Between 2020 and 2024, TTSH saw an average 5% annual increase in admissions and outpatient visits, alongside an average 10% yearly growth in surgical procedures. In 2024, the hospital performed more than 100,000 procedures, and this demand is projected to rise due to Singapore's rapidly ageing population and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases.
To meet this demand, TTSH will scale its Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols to promote faster and safer recovery and shorter length of stay. More ERAS-trained clinical teams and recovery-focused design elements, such as early mobilisation areas, will become mainstays in the proposed TTSH Medical Tower's wards. TTSH also intends to explore more surgical options for seniors through less invasive surgical options or interventional radiological methods to reduce risk and speed up recovery.
Beyond surgical care, TTSH is looking at supporting a broad range of medical specialities through the proposed TTSH Medical Tower. This includes expanding its nurse-led ambulatory care model for certain medical cases (e.g. infusions and radiological procedures) to be discharged earlier, instead of a typical two-day inpatient stay.
Advancing Smart, Human-Centred Care through Technology
As part of TTSH's continued digital transformation, the proposed TTSH Medical Tower will integrate smart technologies to enhance care delivery, better support Singapore's ageing population, and empower a mature healthcare workforce. TTSH will also explore innovative solutions that optimise workflows and reduce physical strain on staff, allowing care teams to focus on delivering high-value, person-centred care.
HealthCity Novena Master Plan 2030 and Beyond
The Master Plan reimagines HealthCity Novena as a green sanctuary in the heart of the city. Proposed green corridors and pedestrian connectors will create seamless, walkable pathways across the campus to promote healing and improve accessibility. The Master Plan also looks at introducing more trees and expanding green spaces and gardens across the campus. These natural elements will enhance biodiversity and provide restorative spaces for patients, caregivers, staff, and the wider community, making HealthCity Novena a vibrant and sustainable environment for healing, working and living.
To further meet the growing healthcare needs in the Central region, an interim healthcare facility at the former TTSH Pavilion Ward site, a Future Medical Education and Training Development (METD) and a Future Healthcare Development have been proposed as part of the Master Plan. When completed, HealthCity Novena will fulfil NHG Health's vision for an integrated, nature-inspired health and innovation campus.
Please refer to the Annex for the HealthCity Novena Factsheet.
Annex
HealthCity Novena Factsheet