We recognise the important role families play in our patients’ recovery. We believe that the best care is to be delivered based on partnerships between health care providers, patients and families. TTSH’s Family Spokesperson initiative aims to help families better understand and plan their loved one’s care through close engagement with our healthcare team.
Spokesperson's Role
Patient reserves the right to identify and decide on the Spokesperson when asked upon admission. Spokesperson may only be identified by the family if patient does not have decision-making capacity.
The Spokesperson will be the primary representative for the family to receive updates from the medical team about his or her loved one’s care and condition. Nevertheless, patient still holds the right to make treatment decisions if his/her condition permits. Spokesperson will be contacted for patient information, decision for procedures, or in the event of an emergency. He or she will also be responsible for sharing patient updates with other family members. The Family Spokesperson will be given a 24-hour access to the patient floor throughout the hospitalisation.
As the Family Spokesperson, we appreciate that you:
- Let our nurses know if there is a change in Family Spokesperson. However, for better continuity of care, the Family Spokesperson should not be changed often.
- Work with our care teams to protect the care/confidentiality of all patients in the ward by:
- Observing our staff’s requests for privacy during ward rounds
- Practising hand hygiene diligently upon arriving and leaving the ward to reduce the spread of infection. Please encourage all visitors to do the same.
We provide training for designated Patient Caregivers to better look after their loved ones who require post discharge home care.
Some patients may have special needs that require the regular presence of a caretaker during hospital stay and/ or upon discharge. This includes patients who are at high risk of falls or have visual or hearing impairments.
This training programme aims to enhance the skills of the patient caregivers and allow them to better manage the care needs of their loved ones.
The Patient Caregiver's Role
Our nurses will identify patients who may benefit from a regular caregiver's care and attention. The family will then designate one Patient Caregiver who will be given a 24-hour access to the patient floor throughout the hospitalisation. The caregiver is expected to be present regularly at the bedside and be involved in administering the necessary care and attention required.
The Patient Caregiver's presence at the bedside is important. It enables the training of care techniques by nurses or therapists, increases understanding on the needs and care to be administered and facilitates communications between the patient and the medical care team. Some of the care required to be performed by the caregiver: transfer of patients from bed to chair and participating in hygiene care.
The caregiver often exerts a calming presence on their patients. He/she can help ensure that the patient cooperates during medical reviews and also maintain a conducive recovery environment for other patients.
As the Patient Caregiver, we appreciate that you:
- Let our nurses know if there is a change in caregiver.
- Take note that meals/drinks for the caregiver will not be provided by hospital
- Understand that no additional furniture or bedding is allowed in the ward.
- Inform our nurses whenever you are leaving if the comfort or safety of the patient could be compromised in your absence.
- Work with our care teams to protect the care/ confidentiality of all patients in the ward by:
- Observing our staff's requests for privacy during ward rounds
- Practising hand hygiene diligently upon arriving and leaving the ward to reduce the spread of infection. Please encourage all visitors to do the same.