The Patient Care Centre (PCC) is located within the grounds of the Communicable Disease Centre. It is a programme under the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Community Charity Fund.
The PCC is a community-based hospital project first established in 1997 to assist with looking after the needs of patients with HIV/AIDS, most of whom have little education and no/little work opportunities in the community. It serves as the link between society and patients – helping patients to resolve problems of stigma and discrimination by providing peer support and interaction with volunteers and healthcare workers. The aim is to regain their self-confidence and self-esteem.
I had the opportunity to ask some questions to the Principal Medical Social Worker, Ms Ho Lai Ping, with regards to her work in the CDC as well as some queries about the medical funding for HIV/AIDS patients.
mhisham.org: What is your background with the Patient Care Centre?
Ms Ho: I’m a Medical Social Worker. PCC was initiated by doctors, nurses and social workers. It is run by an executive and we continue to support the centre.
mhisham.org: What are your main responsibilities for the Patient Care Centre?
Ms Ho: I’m part of a team of healthcare workers who form the HIV team and we work with the executive to support PCC’s various programmes.
My main role is to manage the Department of Care & Counselling at CDC. In addition to counselling patients and doing casework, I supervise a team of social workers and support staff. We look into the enhancing the psychosocial well-being of the patients through counselling and looking for resources to meet their needs.
mhisham.org: As the health industry, for the most part are by request and sometimes by appointments, is there a personal stake for Ms Ho to be involved with the Centre?
Ms Ho: This centre was started in 1997 as a response to the needs of the patients due to the lack of support of community resources. It was initiated as a safe place for people with HIV to come to without the fear of stigma and discrimination. Whilst community organisations do provide practical assistance for the patients, most do not think they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to manage the issues which our patients face.
mhisham.org: Since PCC is under TTSH, is it safe to say that within CDC – there are two parties working on a similar aid network?
Ms Ho: PCC is a community project run by CDC. PCC is part of CDC and we raise funds through the TTSH Community Charity Fund. Therefore, we are not separate parties.
mhisham.org: Who qualifies for Anti-retroviral Therapy Subsidy and Resource Utilisation Programme(ARTSUP)? What happens if an infected patient discovered through AFA(Action for AIDS) anonymous check-up, will Patient Care Centre be able to render assistance?
Ms Ho: Since MOH approved the use of Medifund for anti-retroviral drugs (ART) , we no longer have this programme. However, we do have a medication subsidy programme for those who require assistance with the cost of ART but do not qualify for Medifund.
mhisham.org: How is the response for the Volunteer Training Programme?
Ms Ho: The response is good and we typically have about 50 or 60 people who attend the training programme each year.
mhisham.org: Are there active participation from faith-based groups?
Ms Ho: We have 5 groups of volunteers – two of them are faith-based groups. The other three are from non-religious organisations.
mhisham.org: How are faith-based groups advised/trained when dealing with patients with same faith/different faith/no faith?
Ms Ho: During the training programme, participants are informed of the hospital regulations regarding sharing their faith.
mhisham.org: Will PCC be able to reveal their annual operating expenditure?
Ms Ho: Operating expenses are minimal as the cost of employing the executive (who is the only full-time staff), is under TTSH’s payroll. The cost of running the centre such as utilities are covered by TTSH as well.
In light of this, I have created a Fund Raiser, please help me achieve my goal of $1000 donations for Tan Tock Seng Hospital Charity Fund by donating here - https://www.give.sg/TeamGIVE/mhisham/ttsh-pcc
Focus on technology, HIV/AIDS Awareness, Dementia and supporting several other social causes. Write mostly about the independent Arts scene in Singapore as well as the general works as organized by the various government bodies. Has a fascination with photography and indulge in a little mix of video editing. Very keen on living the social media experience without going over the top. 
Dude.. I love your post. I'm a health worker and I emphasis on TEAMWORK. In the health workplace, the evidence for inter-professional coordination and effective teamwork continues to grow. One of the most critical tasks facing researchers, managers, policy makers and clinicians will be to work together to create, share and use all forms of evidence, including methods and techniques for effective and ineffective implementation. The path toward effective teamwork in Canadian healthcare will probably be bumpy and windy, but it is one that all stakeholders, particularly patients, are likely to demand both more frequently and vocally. Thanks!! @LISA WEST:)
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