COVID-19 Treatment Facility at F1 Pit Building – A Successful Partnership with NUHS

March 3, 2022

Working collaboratively with National University Health System (NUHS), Fullerton Health Group (FHG) successfully managed a Tier 2 Covid Treatment Facility (CTF) at the F1 Pit Building, which housed a total of 34 beds. The CTF took in patients who were at high risk of developing severe Covid-19 infection but were otherwise stable and did not require hospitalisation. These patients required closer observation due to their risk profile and higher care needs – either from pre-existing comorbidities or a need for assistance in activities of daily living (ADLs), or both.

The CTF at F1 Pit Building

The CTF went live in early December 2021 under NUHS, before they handed over medical operations to FHG on 10 January 2022. Our team comprising of doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants and operational personnel continued to provide round-the clock care and support to the patients, with NUHS overseeing clinical governance, until the last day of operations on 9 March 2022. The objective of a CTF was meant to alleviate the pressure on hospitals so that they could admit COVID-19 patients who were seriously ill to receive urgent medical care, which could be the difference in keeping them alive.

The FHG Team together with a patient who was cared for around the clock

In addition, the CTF at F1 Pit Building was also the first in Singapore to admit and treat End-Stage Renal Failure patients, which was an urgent requirement as dialysis centres were not equipped to manage Covid-19 dialysis patients at that point in time.

According to Dr Lee Ming Yong: “The facility came at a very useful and crucial time when we were facing a steep Omicron wave. The team worked extraordinarily hard to get things up and going. Much had been asked of them and they responded beyond the call of duty, ensuring the highest level of care was provided to our patients at all times. They were absolutely critical in ensuring that we had the capability to treat so many patients within a few weeks.”

Donning full PPE never dampened the spirits of the FHG Team

In all, the team treated more than 200 patients. The success of this project is a great testament to the team’s dedication, professionalism, and efficiency.

The battle against COVID-19 has been a long and winding one. Even with high vaccination rates and strict restrictions in place, the end is not in sight just yet. Thus, it is even more crucial that both the Government and Private sectors work together so that the nation can continue the fight against the virus. And in this instance, FHG has certainly stepped up to the plate to provide this much-needed help.