G.R.O.S.S. Appreciation 2025:
Celebrating Smarter Ways of Working
The NUHS GROSS Appreciation Event on 26 March 2025 was anything but ordinary. Laughter, learning, and dinosaur-themed antics filled the auditorium and foyer, as staff across the cluster gathered for one mission: to celebrate how far we've come in clearing out what gets in the way of meaningful work.
Since the launch of the Get Rid of Stupid Stuff (GROSS) initiative in 2023, momentum has been unstoppable — with over 600 staff suggestions and 328 processes eliminated across NUHS and JurongHealth Campus. Proof that when we rethink the routine, big change happens!
This year’s event went big on the theme "Journey with us to GROSS Land" — with a larger-than-life inflatable dinosaur roaming the venue, sparking selfies, laughter, and light-hearted fun to match serious achievements. 🌟
🏆 $1,000 Award-Winning Projects and Their Impact
💡Celebrating smart, people-driven improvements that are making everyday work better
These $1,000 award winners from NTFGH and JCH exemplify how simple, thoughtful changes can yield tangible benefits for patients, staff and the organisation. Here's a snapshot of how each project is transforming care and efficiency:
🩺 Relocating Urea Breath Test (UBT) for Patient Convenience
By NTFGH Endoscopy Department🩺 Faster, Friendlier Patient
NTFGH Endoscopy moved the Urea Breath Test (UBT) service closer to doctor consults — saving 25 minutes per patient and 50 porter trips a month. Smarter flow, happier patients!
(Left to right)
Assistant Director of Nursing, Nancy Yeo, Assistant Nurse Clinician Ma Xueyun, Senior Nurse Manager Zhang Rong receiving the award from Assistant Chief Executive (ACE) Dr Quek Lit Sin
📲 Going Digital with Health Screening and Flu Vaccination Forms
By NTFGH Health and Wellness (Staff Clinic)
No more paper forms! The team digitalised their screening and vaccination process via the NUHS App, saving 1,280 staff hours and 7,200 sheets of paper a year. A win for efficiency and sustainability.
(Left to Right)
Assistant Director Ms Adelin Lim, Executive Assistant Ms Josephine Neo, Senior Staff Nurse Ei Hnin Nay Zin, Senior Medical Informatics Specialist Amelia Anip, Principal Medical Informatics Specialist Mr Dennis Ng, Assistant Nurse Clinician Seow Muay Muay and ACE Dr Quek
📧 Decluttering Emails for Rehabilitation Teams
By NTFGH Rehabilitation and Specialty Operations
NTFGH Rehabilitation created specialty-specific email groups — cutting irrelevant emails by 75% and giving back 15–30 minutes a day to frontline care.
(Left to Right)
Senior Speech Therapist Choong Kai Lynn and ACE Dr Quek
📖 Smarter Patient Education with QR Codes
By JHC Allied Health
JHC Allied Health turned brochures into easy-access digital QR codes, making patient information available anytime, anywhere — with videos for better learning!
(Left to Right)
Speech Therapist Alison Tan, Physiotherapist Kelly Chan and Senior Principal Occupational Therapist Qiu Huaying with ACE Dr Quek
🛵 Speeding Up Motorised Device Referrals
By NTFGH Occupational Therapy
A streamlined referral system halved patient waiting time for motorised device assessments — from 64 to 31 days. By enabling direct referrals to JHC Day Rehab Centre, the project also cut 30 unnecessary Neuro-geriatric Outpatient appointments each month, improving patient flow and clinic efficiency.
(Left to Right)
Senior Principal Occupational Therapist Qiu Huaying and ACE Dr Quek
🏆 Commendation Award - Removal of Baritex Cream from Wards Due to Low Consumption
By NTFGH Pressure Injury (PI) Workgroup
The NTFGH team earned a commendation award for improving workflow and patient care by removing low-use Baritex Cream from inpatient wards — cutting waste and boosting care quality. In its place, the more effective 3M Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream was made readily accessible through the Automatic Dispensing Cabinet, thanks to support from Pharmacy in logistics and system integration.
This change led to faster patient treatment, reduced waiting time for supplies, freed up valuable storage space, and received positive ground feedback for improving both workflow and patient care.
(Left to Right)
Chief Financial Officer Ms Ong Kwee Heok, Chief Operating Officer Ms Ng Bee Ling, Chief Nurse Ng Sow Chun, Assistant Director of Nursing, Nancy Yeo receiving the award from Group Chief Financial Officer Ms Wong Soo Min
🎪 Interactive Booths: GROSS in Action
Staff explored interactive displays from teams like:
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🧠 NUHS Wellbeing Office – promoting initiatives that enhance staff wellness
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📱 WeCare App – enabling easy GROSS idea submissions
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🚀 NUHS Transformation Office – championing system-wide innovation
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🔧 Quality, Innovation and Improvement – advocating for better care, done right the first time
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💡 Alexandra Hospital – reinforcing the motto: “New Ways, Not New Things”
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🔍 Projects Marketplace – helping staff connect with improvement efforts across NUHS
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💻 Group Medical Informatics Office – exploring the ripple effects of GROSS changes in NGEMR
These showcases brought the cluster’s collaborative spirit to life, sparking conversation, learning and curiosity.
💬 Words That Motivate
GROSS Ambassador, Senior Nurse Manager Lang Siew Ping from NCIS shared a heartfelt message that resonated across the room:
Do not be afraid of change.
Change is necessary when we evolve, but we need to be mindful of the purpose of the change. We need to have the goal at the end in mind.
We shouldn’t be changing for the purpose of changing.
Her words served as a powerful reminder — that real transformation requires more than just ideas. It takes courage, clarity and commitment.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why are we still doing this?”, you’ve already taken the first step towards GROSS.
Together, let’s continue to challenge the norm, rethink the routine and champion the smart.