Forum: A happier patient because of Care @ Home programme

I refer to the recent article on Mobile Inpatient Care @ Home, “

More patients to be offered choice to receive hospital care at home

” (April 13). Such programmes allow teams of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to care for patients, who would otherwise be admitted to an acute hospital, in the comfort of their own homes. As someone who has benefited from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital’s KTPH@Home programme three times over the past six months, I am writing to advocate for more of such programmes, and support the Ministry of Health’s decision to fund such programmes.

I suffer from a complex mix of chronic diseases, including hypertension, psoriasis and heart failure. One of the complications which has led to me ending up in hospital is my oedema.

Due to the swelling in my lower limbs, I am prone to infections that may not necessarily be treated adequately with oral antibiotics. As a result, I require inpatient care so that I may receive antibiotics intravenously. My first hospitalisation took place in October 2024.

In January 2025, a group of specialists at KTPH reviewed my case and recommended that I receive care at home through the KTPH@Home programme. The nurses were very patient with me and taught me how to monitor my vital signs using very simple equipment. As a result, I could receive intravenous antibiotics in the comfort of my own home. This also made it easier for my son to visit me. I am a much happier patient.

It would be good if the Ministry of Health could consider expanding such pilot programmes, or increasing the number of avenues for one to be referred to such programmes. Currently, I still need to make a trip to the accident and emergency department to be referred to the KTPH@Home programme. If polyclinic care teams could do likewise, it would make things much more convenient for me.

Teo Bee Bee