Working at Changi General Hospital: Company Culture, Benefits, and Leadership

Changi General Hospital (CGH) stands as a beacon of healthcare excellence in Singapore, seamlessly blending a rich company history, a vibrant corporate culture, an extensive array of benefits, and visionary leadership. In this blog, Aniday will delve into the key aspects that make CGH not just a workplace but a thriving community dedicated to delivering the best care for its patients.

Company History: Foundations of Excellence

From the establishment of the old British Royal Air Force Hospital in 1935 to the 1997 merger of Changi Hospital and Toa Payoh Hospital, Changi General Hospital's (CGH) history showcases its dedication to community healthcare needs and adaptive growth. The merger with Toa Payoh Hospital, previously known as Thomson Road Hospital in 1997 marked a significant milestone and laid the foundation for CGH as it stands today.

CGH's commitment to clinical excellence, research, education, and healthcare innovation underscores its dedication to providing advanced and holistic healthcare services. Celebrating its 88th anniversary with events focused on Life, Achievement, and Community is a tribute to the collaborative efforts that have shaped the hospital.

CGH's consistent recognition among Newsweek World’s Best Hospitals (2019–2023), Newsweek World’s Best Smart Hospitals (2021 and 2023), and Newsweek World’s Best Specialized Hospitals (2022 and 2023) attests to its esteemed status. Additionally, being ranked 32nd in Singapore’s Best Employers 2023 list by The Straits Times further highlights CGH's excellence.

Corporate Culture: Embracing Diversity and Fostering Growth

CGH proudly champions diversity and inclusion, boasting a workforce representing various nationalities united by a shared purpose—delivering the best care for patients. The company's culture revolves around the principles of learning, growing, and playing.

1. Embracing Diversity and Inclusion

Diverse Workforce: CGH values and celebrates a diverse workforce consisting of individuals from various nationalities.

Common Purpose: Despite the diversity, there is a shared sense of purpose among the staff - delivering the best care for patients.

2. Learning

• Dynamic Learning Curriculum: The learning curriculum is described as dynamic and engaging, indicating a commitment to continuous education and skill development.

• Supportive Network: Learning takes place within a close-knit, supportive, and dedicated network of peer and mentor-student relationships, fostering a collaborative environment.

3. Growth

• Progressive Career Advancement: CGH provides progressive career advancement pathways, offering opportunities for professional growth.

• Nurturing Professional Interests: Employees are encouraged to nurture various areas of professional interest and specialization, contributing to a bright and fulfilling career.

4. Play (Work-Life Balance and Social Culture)

• Team Unity: CGH foste­rs a deep, united and inclusive­ environment. This create­s a community feel among workers.

• Balance­ in Life and Work: Keeping a be­neficial balance betwe­en work and personal life is highly acknowle­dged and encouraged.

• Fun Off-Work Passion Pursuits: Employe­es can participate in a wide array of re­creational activities and clubs offere­d by CGH. This encourages social interaction and stre­ngthens bonds within the CGH family.

Rewards & Benefits: Fostering Well-being

At the heart of CGH's commitment to its employees are the rewarding compensation packages and an extensive range of benefits.

1. Wage and Salary Plan

• Competitive Monthly Total Base Salary: Recognizing the value of its workforce with a competitive base salary.

• Annual Wage Supplement (AWS): A bonus equivalent to 1 month's total base salary.

• Performance-based Increments and Bonuses: Annual increments and bonuses based on individual performance.

• Night Duty Allowance and Meal Subsidy: Acknowledging the unique challenges clinicians face during residential night duties.

• Shift Allowance: Recognizing the efforts of clinicians working on 3 rotating shifts.

• Global Relocation Assistance: Facilitating the transition for international employees with various benefits.

2. Leave Benefits

A robust suite of leave benefits caters to the diverse needs of CGH employees, including annual leave, childcare leave, family care leave, medical leave, hospitalization leave, marriage leave, maternity/paternity leave, adoption leave, critical illness leave, compassionate leave, conference leave, and examination leave for hospital-approved courses.

3. Medical Benefits Scheme

CGH provides a comprehensive medical benefits scheme, ensuring that staff and their eligible family members have access to outpatient (specialist and non-specialist) and hospitalization expenses.

4. Family Support Programme

Recognizing the importance of family priorities, CGH offers an array of convenience services, including an on-site child care center, monthly bazaar sales, and enrichment programs for staff's children during school holidays.

5. Health and Wellness Programmes

CGH is committed to helping staff make healthier lifestyle choices. Various programs are designed to improve the quality of life for employees.

6. Other Support Initiatives

Flexibility in work arrangements further supports the staff in balancing work and family commitments.

Leadership of Changi General Hospital Singapore

CGH's triumph rests on forward-thinking leaders who grasp the complexities of healthcare and see the value of a driven, trained team. CGH's leaders create a space where fresh ideas are welcomed and workers' health is placed first.

Prof Ivy Ng serves as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Changi General Hospital. Fong Kok Yong is the Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer overseeing Medical & Clinical Services. Kenneth Kwek holds the role of Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer, focusing on innovation and informatics. Lee Chien Earn is the Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer with responsibilities in the Regional Health System.

These leaders play pivotal roles in guiding different aspects of Changi General Hospital, including medical and clinical services, innovation and informatics, and regional health system development.

Choosing a career at CGH means joining a community that prioritizes learning, growth, and work-life balance. Guided by visionary leadership, the hospital fosters a healthcare environment where employees not only excel professionally but also make a meaningful impact on community well-being. Aniday believe that at Changi General Hospital, it's more than a career choice; it's an opportunity to contribute to a lasting legacy of care, innovation, and compassion.