Abuse and harassment reports of healthcare workers rise in Singapore

Highlighting one example of abuse, KTPH told The Straits Times that it had an “overstayer couple” who refused to be discharged because they were estranged from their daughter.

The husband in his 60s and the wife in her 50s both had several underlying medical conditions, and had multiple admissions to KTPH over several weeks.

The hospital’s nursing and medical staff were verbally abused by the wife while caring for her, said the hospital. The woman also insisted on taking videos of the staff without consent, despite repeated reminders that this was not allowed.

On top of this, the couple demanded that they be able to leave the hospital during the day to run errands, returning to the wards only in the evening.

KTPH eventually discharged them both as they were assessed to be well enough.

Acknowledging that patients and caregivers may feel distressed or unhappy for various reasons, Chua Hong Choon, chief executive of KTPH and Yishun Community Hospital, reiterated the need for respectful communication.

“When you act in an abusive way, it actually prevents us from helping you… There is a much better way of dealing with it, so help us to help you, and help us to hear you,” said Chua.

The tripartite framework was first implemented in the public healthcare sector, and subsequently in the community care sector through an implementation guide launched in May 2025.

Rahayu said employers of more than 60 per cent of the community care workforce have come on board and incorporated the recommendations into their processes.

In total, more than 6,000 healthcare workers in PHIs and the community care sector have since been trained in advanced de-escalation and self-defence techniques.

Basic training is provided to all front-line staff and continues to be part of the onboarding process for new healthcare workers.

Rahayu also encouraged other healthcare providers such as private general practitioners and clinics to consider the working group’s recommendations to support their staff against abuse and harassment.

She said the group’s efforts will continue through a community of practice which brings together healthcare providers and partners to exchange ideas, share best practices and co-create solutions.

Much progress has been achieved, according to the working group’s report, including “a meaningful shift in how healthcare workers experience their workplaces”.

In 2025, the working group conducted a survey which found that more than 90% of PHI workers felt that their institutions encouraged the reporting of abuse and harassment incidents, and supported a safe and respectful work environment.

In addition, 86% of members of the public said they would consider stepping in if they witnessed abusive or harassing behaviour against a healthcare worker.

Nine in 10 respondents felt that everyone has a part to play in preventing abuse and harassment, and almost all respondents agreed that more should be done to protect healthcare workers from abuse and harassment.

The report also pointed out that sustaining the progress achieved will require the continued efforts of healthcare institutions, healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and the wider society.

“Together, we can continue to make our hospitals safe and secure, where every patient is cared for, and every healthcare worker feels protected, respected and empowered,” said Rahayu.