Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The resounding success of the Joint-Commission International NSC staff were also recognised individually for their excellence
Re-accreditation of NSC ended the year 2013 on a high note. in their work and contributions. Dr Colin Theng, Senior
It was a testimony of the hard work of our staff and the Consultant was awarded the Healthcare Humanity Award.
unrelenting emphasis we place on providing quality care to Senior Staff Nurse Esther Tang was awarded the Nurses
our patients. NSCs Patient Health Portal service was given Merit Award. Prof Roy Chan, Senior Consultant was awarded
recognition as NSC was awarded the Best Practice Award for the National Day Public Administration Medal (Silver) with Ms
Stakeholder Engagement in the Excellence in Public Service Elizabeth Tian, Pharmacy Manager, and Ms Khatija
Awards 2013. Our Research Department was also in the Mohamed, Senior Medical Technologist, receiving the
limelight as we sealed the partnership with A*STAR and National Day Efficiency Medals. Dr Ng See Ket, Senior
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to launch the Skin Consultant was presented the Yong Loo Lin - NUS Deans
Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS) on 26 September Award while Dr Mark Tang, Senior Consultant was awarded
2013. It was a well-matched partnership designed to translate the NHG Education Leaders Award. Both Dr Eugene Tan,
inter-disciplinary skin research into improved health Associate Consultant and Sister Tan Kim Yoke, Nurse
outcomes and quality of life. Clinician received the NHG Teaching Award for Junior
Clinicians and Non-Physicians, respectively. Dr Chan Keen
Other highlights of the year included the NSC Updates in Loong, Visiting Consultant, was also given recognition as he
Dermatology and Venereology on 27 and 28 September 2013 won the NHG Outstanding Education Partners Award. Our
at the Max Atria, Singapore Expo. Over 360 delegates from long time Visiting Consultant, Dr Rosalind Khoo, was
Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region attended. We had the presented with the NSC Distinguished Friend Award at our
honour of having world-renowned Prof Jean Bolognia, Annual Dinner & Dance 2013 at the Amara Sanctuary Resort,
Professor of Dermatology, Yale University School of Sentosa.
Medicine, USA, as a Visiting Expert to give a lecture on New
Therapies for Melanoma at the Update. Another Visiting It was indeed a compact year of activities and recognition.
Expert, Prof Frank Nestle, who holds the Mary Dunhill Chair NSC is brought to greater heights year on year. Needless to
of Cutaneous Medicine and Immunotherapy at St Johns say, all staff has a hand in NSCs growth and I would like to
Institute of Dermatology and an Honorary Consultant express my appreciation for their determination and
Dermatologist at Guys and St. Thomas Hospital, gave five dedication to NSC.
lectures focusing on Immunology, Immunotherapy,
Melanoma and Psoriasis during his visit in May 2013. Both
Visiting Experts shared valuable experience and insights in
the field of dermatology.
Presented with boundless opportunities during her employment in NSC, she feels that the time has come for me
to give back to NSC in a servant leadership role. In my opinion, NSC has firmly established its position as the
national skin centre of choice for patient care, training and education, locally and in the region that we are all
extremely proud to be working in. We can look forward to embarking in the next phase of research development in
our journey towards building a world class dermatology centre, and that we will truly be a great institution when we
move in to the new NSC slated to be ready in 2019. I look forward to working with all of you, the managers, doctors
and all colleagues towards achieving this shared vision .
What are the treatment options for male pattern hair loss?
Topical minoxidil and oral finasteride have been proven to be effective in the treatment of male pattern hair loss. They control
the progression of hair loss and stimulate hair regrowth.
What are the treatment options for female pattern hair loss?
Topical minoxidil has also been proven to be effective in the treatment of female pattern hair loss. Where indicated, an oral
medication such as spironolactone may be used. However, this medication may not be suitable for all individuals. Frequent
blood monitoring is required for someone on spironolactone. Women with androgen excess may benefit from hormonal therapy.
Finasteride is not usually used in FPHL.
How does minoxidil work, and what are its side effects?
Topical minoxidil is applied twice a day to the affected areas of the scalp. Minoxidil prolongs the growing phase of the hair cycle
and thickens the hair. Side effects include scalp irritation and dandruff. Infrequently, hair loss may be paradoxically increased
in the first few months of use. However, this increased hair loss is usually transient and self-limiting.
How does finasteride work and what are its side effects?
Oral finasteride is a 5-reductase inhibitor that decreases the dihydrotestosterone level. This also results in prolongation of the
growing phase and thickening of the hair. Sexual dysfunction may occur in a small percentage of men. This side effect is temporary
and reversal occurs following cessation of the drug. Finasteride can be safely taken with most other medications. Patients with
a history of prostate cancer should inform their doctors if they are on finasteride.
When can I see results? How long is treatment Can treatment reverse
necessary? complete balding?
Hair loss usually stabilizes after three Treatment for male and female Current medical therapy does not
to six months of therapy. Hair growth pattern hair loss is life-long. If reverse complete balding. Therefore,
may be appreciated in some patients treatment is stopped, hair loss recurs early therapy before permanent hair
six months to two years later. three to six months later. Hair that loss occurs is advised.
was previously gained may also be
lost.
Education / Training
NSC sees many patients with skin conditions that are aggravated by sun exposure, such as skin cancer, immunodermatoses (e.g.
DLE, dermatomyositis), photodermatoses (e.g. chronic actinic dermatoses, solar urticaria, PMLE) and hyperpigmentation (e.g. solar
lentigines, melasma). As these can be better managed with appropriate sun protection habits, we saw the need to set up a sun
protection counseling service in collaboration with our doctors who can refer their patients to our pharmacists for extended counseling
advice. Walk-in customers are also entertained.
Our Sun Protection counseling service was first initiated in January 2013,
and is possibly the first such pharmacy initiative in Singapore. From
January 2013 to October 2013, at least 73 patients have been referred for
this service.
The main objective of sun protection counseling is to advocate for primary
prevention of skin conditions caused or aggravated by ultraviolet (UV)
radiation through adoption of effective sun protection habits. Patients are
also educated to adhere to correct use of sunscreens in order to improve
the outcome of existing skin conditions.
We hope to be able to sustain our initiative and encourage a continued take up of this service for a holistic approach to sun protection.
Dr Lina Ma, Deputy Executive Director for the Lions Home for the Elders was invited
to speak at the Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) programme on 9 January 2014.
Dr Ma gave an overview of services provided by the Home and shared about the evolving
roles of nurses in long-term care and the challenges involved. In her candid presentation,
she highlighted some healthcare issues that the young nurses who would be over 60
years old in 2050, would be facing in Singapore then. The Home has leveraged on IT,
multidisciplinary training and the practice of evidence-based research to improve care
for their residents. Our nurses learnt about the many levels of care required at the
nursing homes to cater for different elderly patients needs such as dementia.
Our Nursing staff with Dr Lina Ma SSN Priscilla Tan shared, I was impressed with the advancement of care in the Voluntary
(in purple dress). Welfare Organisations nursing homes. The session has given us a better understanding of
how elderly care is run in the nursing homes.
Staff News
The first Quality Lunch of 2014 was held on 14 March. The winner of the WeExcel award for
the last quarter of 2013 was presented to Procedure Suites and Mandalay Clinic. The lunch
event was also an opportunity for staff to showcase and share how their 6S projects helped
to improve their working environment. The three projects presented were Improving Workflow for
Medisave Payment Request at Private Clinic by Sister Tan Kim Lian, Nurse Clinician,
On-call Bag Checklist at Clinic A/B by Ms Bethia Chua, Clinic Executive and Creating A
System for Bin Card Location and Identification by Mr Chang Jun Hua, Support Services
Executive. It was an enjoyable lunch event to keep staff updated of the ongoing improvement
initiatives implemented in individual departments.
Staff Nurse Elaine Goh, receiving the
WeExcel award from A/Prof Tan Suat
Hoon on behalf of Procedure Suites and
Mandalay Clinic.
Staff News
The recent Public Administration Medal (Silver) that he received at the 48th National Day Awards in 2013 for outstanding efficiency,
competence and leadership is a well deserved recognition of his leadership and valuable contributions in shaping NSC to be the centre
of choice for dermatology and venereology conditions.
Prof Chan will dedicate his time in NSC as a Senior Consultant and Medical Advisor after stepping down.
NSC Management and Staff would like to thank Prof Chan for his dedication, contributions and guidance during his office
as Director of NSC.
CME Calendar
Date Title Seminar for Fees
17 May, Sat Certificate of Competence: Derma Fillers GPs $450*/ $500
28 Jun, Sat Pharmacists Seminar: Psoriasis Pharmacists $8
16 Aug, Sat Certificate of Competence: Chemical Peels GPs $450*/ $500
*Early bird rate of $450 applies to registration made at least one month before the workshop.
For enquiries on our seminars and public forums, please call the Training Department at Tel: 63508476 or Fax: 62533255.
You may also register online at www.nsc.com.sg