Compassionate Discharge:
Supporting Patients' Final Journey
How can we help patients spend their final days with dignity, comfort and in the place they call home?
This question anchored the recent Compassionate Discharge roadshow, where nurses, doctors, medical social workers and community care partners came together to deepen understanding and build confidence in supporting patients through end-of-life transitions.
As healthcare needs evolve, compassionate discharge is becoming an increasingly important part of care delivery—supporting patients who wish to spend their final days at home, surrounded by loved ones. Organised by Nursing and the Division of Supportive Care & Palliative Medicine, the roadshow focused on strengthening awareness and practical know-how in facilitating compassionate discharge and supporting end-of-life transitions.
Dr Neoh Sue Wern, Consultant, Division of Supportive Care & Palliative Medicine opened the session by highlighting the growing need for compassionate discharge in an ageing population. While many patients hope to spend their final days at home, not all are able to do so—making early planning and close care coordination essential.
Nurse Clinician Zhao Meijuan shared ongoing efforts to strengthen end-of-life care capability across the campus, helping nurses better identity suitable patients, initiating care discussions and supporting families through discharge planning.
Senior Medical Social Worker Kesajil Lim and invited guest Ms Koh Ker Sin, Assistant Nurse Manager from Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Home Hospice, highlighted how psychosocial support and community care services complement clinical care—ensuring patients and families feel both emotionally and practically prepared.
A skit video brought these efforts to life, showing how multidisciplinary teams work together to support a terminally ill patient’s wish to return home. It was an insightful experience as nurses feel more confident in navigating end-of-life conversations and care decisions.
Staff also raised practical questions around compassionate discharge and home hospice support during the panel Q&A with Dr Neoh Sue Wern, ANM Koh Ker Sin, NC Zhao Meijuan and Senior MSW Kesajil Lim.
In closing, Ms Clarice Wee, Assistant Director of Nursing, reaffirmed the importance of building staff capacity and confidence in end-of-life care, and the critical role nurses play in identifying suitable patients and advocating for compassionate discharge. She also highlighted the need for strong collaboration and continuity of care across teams and partners to ensure smooth transitions from hospital to home.
The roadshow concluded with interactive booths by the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Division of Supportive Care & Palliative Medicine and Medical Social Work teams, where staff explored resources and exchanged insights on end-of-life care.
Together, the event reinforced a shared message across JurongHealth Campus: helping patients fulfil their final wish to return home takes teamwork, communication and early planning—and every staff member plays an important role in making it possible.
