Singapore Healthcare Management (SHM) started off as a small-scale supply chain forum held in SingHealth in 2009.
The recently concluded Singapore Healthcare Management saw a record of close to 1,000 attendees, asserting its place as the congress for healthcare administrators in Singapore and the region.
Singapore Healthcare Management (SHM) started off as a small-scale supply chain forum held in SingHealth in 2009. As the scope of the congress and participation grew, the supply chain forum developed into a full-fledged congress focusing on three aspects of healthcare management: general healthcare management, supply chain and enterprise risk, showcasing the impact made by healthcare administrators on the industry.
The fifth congress, held from 18 to 20 Aug 2015 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, saw a record number of almost 1,000 participants. A good mix of participants from both public and private sectors helped ensure ample networking opportunity and new ideas for sharing.
Permanent Secretary (Health) Mrs Tan Ching Yee said in her opening address at the congress, “Fundamentally re-designing the way to organise our healthcare system is the game-changer. This is not the work of clinicians alone, but requires all hands on deck.”
Featuring thought leaders from the industry as speakers and panelists, the congress has been offering participants a platform for the sharing of healthcare ideas and best practices.
Local and international speakers offered fresh perspectives and updates on innovations not just in healthcare but from other industries as well.
“By looking outside of the healthcare systems, we can learn from innovations and best practices from other industries,” said Mr Tan Jack Thian, who has been the SHM Organising Chairman since the inaugural congress.
Mr Tan who is also SingHealth’s Group Chief Procurement Officer/Group Chief Operating Officer added, “We set ourselves the challenge of introducing new elements every year. This year, participants had two new features to look forward to at the congress.”
The first was the reverse expo where suppliers presented their latest innovations in safety syringes. The other new element was the management domain networking offering networking sessions for administrators from domains such as operations, Finance, Human Resource, Communications and Service Quality, to exchange ideas and mingle.
According to Mr Tan, the congress has been growing every year as there is much interest from fellow healthcare professionals, many of whom are repeat participants.
“Many participants have told us that they look forward to SHM not only because it is the only large-scale healthcare management congress in Singapore offering innovative new ideas, but because they can grow their network and contacts in the industry at the same time.”
Mr Tan added, “We want to help participants find work solutions through practical discussions and contact-building among similar interest groups. We hope to develop our network into a regional or even international one in future.”
