After years of preparation and dealing with the disruption caused by a global pandemic, the new National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) building opened its doors to receive its first patients in December 2022. Let’s look at 8 ways the new NCCS is set to change the face of cancer care for patients and the community.
1. Expanded facilities for cancer patients
Bigger doesn't always mean better, but it does in the case of the new NCCS building. The larger space is planned to cater to current, and future patient needs. Cancer is the leading cause of mortality in Singapore and as the population ages, the incidence and prevalence of cancer are expected to rise. The new NCCS building is designed to meet these projected needs.
Approximately 5 times larger than its old premises, the 24-floor, 92,000 square metre new NCCS has 5 times the capacity for clinic space, 6 times the space for treatment and surgical procedures and almost double the space to conduct research to improve cancer treatment. It also has specialised facilities such as proton beam therapy, an advanced and more targeted form of radiation therapy and a drug compounding hub, where chemotherapy drugs are prepared onsite for patients.
The Ambulatory Treatment Unit, where chemotherapy is administered, has a total of 109 chairs are available for patients to receive chemotherapy treatment, a 70% increase in capacity from the old building. There are also 7 treatment suites at the new NCCS, more than triple the number in the current NCCS building, which has 2 treatment suites.
Cancer services previously housed in other institutions are located in the new NCCS building, including surgery, haematology, paediatric cancers, rehabilitation and more, offering patients an integrated and seamless care experience. The new NCCS also has more rest areas that provide space for patients to take rest and respite when they visit for treatment.
2. Specialisations for all type of cancers
The full breadth of cancers and cancer disorders are treated by highly trained specialists with a great depth of experience at the new NCCS. To provide a seamless care experience, patients who need more than one treatment modality, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, can consult with different specialists at Multidisciplinary Specialist Oncology Clinics during their visits.
In addition, each disease group has dedicated space to co-locate clinical, research and education facilities, to facilitate patient flow and allow for better coordination and collaboration between departments treating the same cancer type.
3. New and expanded treatment options
Advanced proton beam therapy will be offered at the Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre that occupies three floors in the basement of the new NCCS. The Goh Foundation donated $50 million towards the setup of the Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre as well as a Proton Therapy Research Programme to further advance cancer care. Equipped with pencil beam scanning technology (PBS), proton beam therapy provides a new way to target cancer with a more targeted, precise radiation technique that reduces harmful radiation to nearby normal tissues and minimises side effects for patients undergoing the therapy.
In addition, the relocation of the Department of Haematology to the new NCCS offers the availability of novel treatments such as CAR-T Cell therapy, a type of personalised treatment that uses the patient's own immune system to engineer a treatment to combat blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma.
4. Cancer support services on site
One of the most tangible ways to support cancer patients is to provide materials and resources for them as journey from diagnosis to treatment and onward to recovery.
At the new NCCS, the patient service centre has a library of age-appropriate materials on various cancer types for patients to access and staff on hand to provide advice and direction for immediate questions. Support groups that are age and disease-specific, hold sessions for patients to find comfort in sharing with individuals with similar experiences. A novel coaching programme helps patients and caregivers develop coping skills and better manage symptoms.
Rehabilitation medicine specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and dieticians will be available onsite at the upcoming rehabilitation centre, to aid recovery from cancer and improve quality of life. NCCS’ dedicated team of medical social workers can provide counselling and guidance to patients who need financial and psychosocial support.
5. Technology to support care
NCCS harnesses technology to enhance patient experience and improve care delivery. Patients can make and change appointments online and self-register upon arrival. They can also have the bill for their visit and next appointment date sent to them electronically after their appointment, which is more convenient and saves time. Most medications can be delivered to the patient’s home for patients who prefer not to wait to collect their medication at the pharmacy.
At the Ambulatory Treatment Unit, where patients receive chemotherapy treatment, robots deliver medication to patients, and pharmacists employ automation to prepare chemotherapy medication, ensuring consistent and safe compound preparation.
6. Easy access
Located on Outram Road, the new NCCS is connected by a link bridge to the Outram MRT station, which has three MRT lines - East-West Line, North East Line and the New Thomson-East Coast Line - and a bus stop at its doorstep. Visible to all in the vicinity, it represents the modern face of public healthcare in Singapore. There are also four levels of carpark space at the new NCCS.
7. Care after treatment in the community
Support for patients at NCCS does not end with treatment. With the Singapore Cancer Society housed in the new NCCS, patients have access to support services in the community. The Singapore Cancer Society has a community gym onsite to ensure that recovering patients can meet their activity goals such as returning to work or regaining strength for activities and hobbies. Social support groups and educational programmes that focus on topics such as coping with life after cancer are also regularly held to provide a safe space for cancer survivors to share, learn and live well. NCCS will continue to collaborate with SCS on public education and cancer prevention.
8. Co-location of research and clinical services to improve patient outcomes
Research activities are boosted with almost twice the floor space available for research. A total of 10,000 square metres enables NCCS to advance its research focus on cancer therapeutics. The unique co-integration and co-localisation of NCCS research with clinical care, leverages the strengths and expertise of healthcare professionals from different fields, including doctors, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, clinician-scientists, scientists, project managers, coordinators and other professionals. The rich collaborative environment enables NCCS teams to work closely to seek better ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating cancers that are prevalent in our population.
Clinical trials directly improve cancer treatment outcomes, and NCCS' Division of Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Services oversees over 200 phase I to III clinical and epidemiological studies to address the region’s greatest needs. Expanding clinical trial capability and capacity at NCCS aligns with global trends to give patients access to innovative treatments that meet their needs.
In addition to clinical trials, the new NCCS has cutting-edge technology and resources for everything from basic to translation research. The Cancer Discovery Hub (CDH), a multi-omics molecular diagnostic core with specialised services and novel technologies, supports high throughput oncology research enabling scientists to uncover the mechanics and development of disease. Advanced Cell Therapy and Research Institute, Singapore (ACTRIS), a national and regional centre that facilitates the discovery, development and manufacturing of cellular-based therapeutics, is also housed in the new NCCS.
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