Since its founding, Dover Park Hospice has advanced palliative care through compassion, education and research.
Founded by Dr Seet Ai Mee and Dr Jerry Lim in 1992, Dover Park Hospice (DPH) is Singapore’s first purpose-built hospice, a significant milestone in Singapore’s palliative care landscape. It addressed a critical gap in hospice care, providing a sanctuary where patients nearing the end of life could receive holistic care.
STEPPING INTO MODERN PALLIATIVE CARE
Singapore has come along way from the infamous Sago Lane “death houses” of the 1950s, where the dying were effectively left for dead in deplorable conditions with little medical support. These places were eventually banned in the 1960s, and there is now dignified end-of-life support available. Yet the understanding and appreciation of how palliative care works alongside treatment is still lacking. Changing these perceptions requires continuous education and dialogue — an effort that DPH actively advocates.
As the palliative care movement grew in the 1980s, the concept of palliative medicine professionals emerged. The doctor who advocated for this was Dr Jerry Lim.
In 2001, palliative care was officially added to the National University of Singapore’s undergraduate medical curriculum in 2002 as part of the Family Medicine programme. Palliative medicine was officially classified as a subspeciality by the Ministry of Health in 2006, allowing more doctors to take it up. Subsequently, an Advanced Specialist Training programme in Palliative Medicine commenced in 2007.
Dr Mervyn Koh, the current DPH Medical Director, and Dr Allyn Hum, our Senior Visiting Consultant, made history as the first locally trained palliative care specialists.
For nurses, DPH collaborated with the National Cancer Centre Singapore and Ngee Ann Polytechnic to launch a Specialist Diploma in Palliative Care Nursing in 2012. To-date, 324 registered nurses have graduated from the course.
In continuing to build capacity and capability in the palliative care sector, DPH facilitates clinical attachments from medical, nursing, allied health, therapy and pharmacy students. It also facilitates field visits, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration with hospices around the region to nurture collective thought leadership and contribute to policy.
Driven by its commitment to setting the benchmark for excellence in palliative care services, education, and research, DPH partnered with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) and the National Healthcare Group to form the Palliative Care Centre for Excellence in Research and Education (PalC) in 2017. Close to $444,000 grants were disbursed to 12 research recipients over eight years to contribute to the growing evidence-based research that drives patient care. The knowledge that is produced and collated is translated directly to how we care for our patients and caregivers, and guides policymakers in resource allocation and the development of best-practice guidelines.
In a world first, PalC introduced the Master of Science in Holistic Palliative Care conferred by LKCMedicine in 2024, drawing on the rich nuances of Asian perspectives such as filial piety, respect for cultures, and more. It is in a ground- breaking stackable part-time format that allows participants to achieve a Graduate Certificate, followed by a FlexiMasters, leading to a full master’s degree.
In a world first, PalC introduced the Master of Science in Holistic Palliative Care conferred by LKCMedicine in 2024, drawing on the rich nuances of Asian perspectives such as filial piety, respect for cultures, and more. It is in a ground- breaking stackable part-time format that allows participants to achieve a Graduate Certificate, followed by a FlexiMasters, leading to a full master’s degree.
HARNESSING THE COMPASSION OF VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers have been integral to DPH since its founding. Today, over 400 volunteers contribute their time and skills across various roles — from providing haircutting for inpatients and patients at home, befriending, pet-assisted activities, organising birthday celebrations to keeping vigil to name a few. Their dedication embodies DPH’s ethos of compassion as a way of life.
LOOKING AHEAD TO AN ERA OF TRANSFORMATIVE CARE
As Singapore becomes a super-aged society by 2026 and with increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses, DPH remains steadfast on its mission to provide accessible palliative care for all who need it. Its recent relocation to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) Integrated Care Hub marks a new age of transformative care, allowing it to serve more patients through expanded facilities and innovative programmes.
Yet challenges remain particularly in addressing societal stigma around death and dying. By fostering open conversations and educating the public about palliative care’s value, DPH continues to honour its founding vision: making every moment matter and ensuring that every patient can live their final days with dignity.
Through its unwavering commitment to excellence and compassion and with the support of dedicated staff and volunteers, DPH exemplifies what it means to make Every Moment Matter.