SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND THE MINISTRY OF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION, AT THE NUHS NURSES’ DAY 2026, 22 JULY 2026

Mr Tan Chong Meng, Chairman, NUHS Board

Professor Yeoh Khay Guan, Chief Executive, NUHS

Dr Catherine Koh, Group Chief Nurse, NUHS Nurses

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon, everyone.

1.             It gives me great pleasure to join you today as we celebrate Nurses’ Day – an important and meaningful occasion to honour the work of nurses, and to celebrate what lies at the heart of healthcare: our people.

2.             Behind every patient's journey, there is a nurse who made it a little less daunting — a familiar face, a reassuring word, a steady hand. These moments may seem small, but to the person on the receiving end, they make all the difference. I believe that is something all of you do every day — often without realising the profound impact you have on the lives of others.

Our Future of Nursing

3.             That is why today’s theme, “Our Future of Nursing”, is so important.

4.             The future of healthcare will look very different from today. Our population is rapidly ageing, patients' needs are growing more complex, and care is increasingly moving beyond hospitals into homes and communities. At the same time, technology is transforming how healthcare teams work and deliver care.

5.             When we speak about the future of nursing, we are not only talking about new models of care or new technologies.

6.             We are also talking about how we continue to elevate nursing as a profession, redesign job roles and empower nurses to expand their capabilities and recognise nursing as a vital pillar of our healthcare system.

Valuing the Past

7.             I am especially heartened by how NUHS values your nurses at every stage of their careers. Today we have with us, Ms Ker Yok Tin, Ms Lee Heng Pheng and Ms Hui Soh Heng, who collectively bring 150 years of nursing wisdom and experience to the profession. Despite being at retirement age, they have chosen to continue serving in redesigned roles through the NUHS Healthcare Workforce of the Future initiative, to impart their invaluable experience to the next generation of nurses.

8.             Senior Enrolled Nurse Ms Ker Yok Tin has spent more than 53 years in nursing, including decades in the Emergency Department. Though she has transitioned to a part-time role, her commitment has never wavered. Today, she mentors newly recruited nurses, leads quality improvement initiatives, and brings a calm and steady presence that younger colleagues can lean on.

9.             Assistant Director of Nursing Ms Lee Heng Pheng's nursing career spans 57 years. A former Head of Nursing and trained midwife, she has played a pivotal role in advancing maternal and neonatal care. She led the cross-training of obstetric and gynaecology nurses in neonatal high dependency care and championed improvements to post-caesarean care to enhance mother-baby bonding. Since being redesignated as a Nurse Mentor in 2013, she has continued to guide and inspire younger nurses, nurturing many who have gone on to take on leadership roles across the profession.

10.          After 55 years in nursing, Ms Hui Soh Heng stepped down from her senior leadership role to continue serving in a redesigned position at the Central Discharge Lounge. For her, progress does not always mean moving upwards — what matters is finding fulfilment in the work. Her willingness to embrace change and contribute in a different capacity reflects her lifelong dedication to nursing and exemplifies the agility needed to thrive in an evolving healthcare environment.

11.          Together, they show us what it means to lead with experience and humility. They remind us that the future of nursing is not only about bringing in the new; it is also about valuing experience, creating space for mentorship, and ensuring that the next generation continues to adapt, excel, innovate and evolve.

Innovating for the Future

12.          Earlier, I had the opportunity to spend some time looking through the inspiring stories of innovation, leadership and care showcased by our nurses. What struck me was that while every story was unique, they all shared a common thread — a commitment to finding better ways to care for patients, support communities and prepare healthcare for the future.

13.          One trend that stood out is the growing role of virtual care and technology-enabled care coordination. As our population becomes increasingly digitally savvy and values healthcare that is more accessible and convenient, nurses are helping to pioneer new models of care that extend beyond the traditional boundaries of hospitals and clinics.

14.          At Alexandra Hospital, initiatives such as the Virtual Emergency Department and the NUHS Virtual Care Centre are redefining how patients access timely advice and care. Through these services, patients can receive guidance, monitoring and care coordination remotely, helping them stay connected to care while reducing unnecessary hospital visits. At the heart of these initiatives are nurses, who assess symptoms, provide advice, spot early signs of deterioration and ensure patients receive the right care at the right place and time.

15.          As healthcare continues to evolve, it is clear that technology is not here to replace nurses. Rather, it is enabling nurses to extend their reach, strengthen patient relationships and deliver care in new and meaningful ways.

Reimagining the Workforce

16.          The future of nursing is also about building an agile workforce that is adaptable and ready to respond to changing healthcare needs. Nurses will need to develop skills that remain relevant across a wide range of roles and care settings.

17.          The Nurse on Demand initiative – a flexible deployment model, reflects this shift. It is a digital platform that connects nurses to short-term staffing needs across the system, creating opportunities for nurses to broaden their experience across different specialties, patient populations and care environments. More importantly, Nurse on Demand is part of a broader workforce development pathway that equips nurses with the competencies to practise across sites and care settings. Through skills training, cross-setting exposure and continuous learning, it expands their scope of practice, strengthens care coordination and prepares them for emerging roles in integrated, virtual and community-based care. In doing so, we are building a more versatile and future-ready nursing workforce.

18.          The ability to deploy the right nurse, with the right competencies, at the right place and time will strengthen the resilience of our healthcare system and ensure that patients continue to receive timely, high-quality care.

Care Beyond Hospital Walls

19.          Today, healthcare is increasingly moving beyond hospitals into the community— and nurses are leading this transformation.

20.          A good example of this is Assistant Director of Nursing Yeo Ai Wah. Trained as a geriatric nurse and now an Advanced Practice Nurse, Ai Wah serves as a leader in the NUHS Regional Health System Office (RHSO), which brings together healthcare providers, community partners and social care agencies to anchor care closer to where people live. In this role, she has championed community-based care models to support residents before they require a visit to the Emergency Department.

21.          Central to this is the RHSO Step-up and Step-down Community Care model. On one end, Step-Up Care focuses on catching problems early — community nurses work with volunteers and Active Ageing Centres to identify residents’ concerns and intervene before they escalate. On the other end, Step-Down Care supports residents after a hospital stay or those managing complex conditions, helping them stay well and independent at home.

22.          Nurses like Ai Wah are not only delivering care — they are multiplying their impact by building capabilities in others. By training and supporting community care volunteers, nurses are extending the reach of healthcare beyond traditional settings and empowering communities to play a more active role in keeping residents well.

23.          This is a powerful example of how nursing is creating impact far beyond the bedside — preventing deterioration, supporting recovery, and helping more seniors remain healthy and independent. As healthcare moves closer to where people live, age and recover, nurses will be at the heart of making that possible.

Shaping Nursing:  2030 and beyond

24.          The stories that I have shared show us a glimpse of what the future of nursing looks like. A future where nurses strengthen communities, help people stay healthier for longer and lead innovation. A future where technology enables nurses to focus on what matters most. Most importantly, a future where nurses continue to bring together clinical expertise, compassion and human connection to make a difference in people’s lives.

25.          Today, we celebrate not all that our nurses have achieved, but also the possibilities of what lies ahead. We celebrate a profession that continues to grow, innovate and lead with purpose. Most of all, we celebrate each and every one of you – for your dedication, your compassion, and your unwavering commitment to the people you serve.

26.          To all our nurses here today, I wish you a very Happy Nurses’ Day and thank you for the difference you make every day!