Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Singapore
Overview
Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) is one of Singapore’s oldest and largest multi-disciplinary hospitals, located in the heart of Singapore. With over 2,000 beds and more than 60 clinical disciplines, TTSH serves as the flagship hospital of the National Healthcare Group and anchors the 17-hectare HealthCity Novena, an integrated healthcare hub.
The TTSH Trauma Centre, established in 2000, is the anchor trauma centre for Singapore’s Central region. It manages the highest trauma load in the country, providing comprehensive care for both major and minor trauma cases.
Key Features:
1. Patient Volume: The Trauma Centre manages the highest trauma caseload in Singapore, with a significant number of major trauma admissions annually.
2. Dedicated Trauma Team: The centre is staffed by five full time trauma surgeons, ensuring round-the-clock expert care for all trauma patients.
3. TTSH Trauma Registry: Initiated in 2001, this comprehensive database facilitates continuous quality improvement, research, and the refinement of trauma care protocols.
4. Multidisciplinary Approach: The Trauma Centre works closely with various departments including Emergency Medicine, Intensive Care, Radiology, Orthopaedics, and Rehabilitation Medicine to provide holistic care.
5. Advanced Facilities: The centre is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for trauma resuscitation, imaging, and surgical interventions.
Clinical Duties:
The Trauma Centre operates with a dedicated trauma team led by consultant trauma surgeons. Junior doctors, including residents and fellows, are integral to the service. They are responsible for the day-to-day management of trauma patients, participate in trauma activations, and contribute to the education of medical students and junior staff.
The trauma team provides 24/7 coverage for major trauma activations and oversees the care of all trauma admissions. We work closely with the Emergency Department for initial resuscitation and with various subspecialties for definitive care.
Research and Education:
The TTSH Trauma Centre is committed to advancing trauma care through research and education. The centre actively participates in local and international trauma registries, conducts clinical research, and contributes to the development of national trauma guidelines.
Regular educational activities include trauma simulations, multidisciplinary trauma rounds, and journal clubs. The centre also participates in community outreach programs for injury prevention. Trauma fellows will be offered opportunities to be teaching faculty in trauma specific courses during their time with us and beyond.
As a key component of TTSH, the Trauma Centre is integral to the hospital’s mission of pioneering new models of care and adding years of healthy life to the people of Singapore. It continues to lead in care innovation and workforce transformation in the field of trauma medicine.
CONTACT
Dr Sunder S/O Balasubramaniam
E: [email protected]
POSTS
1x Accredited Post in Trauma and Acute Care Surgery – General Surgery
Details
Opportunities
THE ROLE
Emergency & Elective Surgery: Our Trauma Centre offers diverse opportunities in both emergency and elective surgical procedures. Fellows can participate in:
- Trauma surgery – both open and minimally invasive procedures, as well as surgical stabilisation of rib fractures
- General surgical procedures – the team routinely performs elective procedures such as cholecystectomy and hernia repair
- Acute care surgery – 24 hour emergency operating theatre for emergency surgeries
Some of our trauma surgeons have a second surgical subspecialty (colorectal, breast, endocrine surgery). Fellows are welcome to participate in these if they are interested and time permits.
On-call Duties:
Trauma: Fellows will take the role of first line call for trauma activations, with a covering consultant. This is typically on a weekly basis and staying in house is not expected as long as the fellow can reach hospital within 30 minutes upon activation.
General Surgery: Fellows will join the General Surgery call roster as senior registrar on call. This occurs 3-4 times a month and will require stay in. These calls typically provide a high operative volume and span the entire spectrum of general surgery. Adequate time to rest will be provided post call.
Teaching and Administrative Duties:
Fellows play a crucial role in educating surgical trainees and medical students. They are responsible for case presentations at the monthly multi-disciplinary Trauma Mortality and Morbidity rounds.
Opportunities to serve as faculty in the Definitive Surgical Trauma Care (DSTC) and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) courses are available to fellows who have the necessary credentials. During the biennial Singapore Trauma & Acute Care Conference (STACC), fellows are integrally involved in organisation and may be invited as speakers.
Educational Rounds:
1. Consultant-Led Surgical Clinical Rounds: Daily
2. Trauma Education and Journal Club: Weekly on Friday
3. Trauma Rehab Rounds: Weekly
Meetings, Courses & Conferences:
TTSH Trauma Centre is committed to continuous learning and development. Fellows have access to various courses and conferences, including:
Courses:
- CREST (Core Resuscitative Skill for Trauma): Annual
- DSTC/DPNTC/DATC (Definitive Surgical Trauma Care Course): Annual
- ATLS/EMST: 6-8 courses per year
- ATCN (Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses Course): 3-4 courses per year
- PHTLS (Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support Course): 2 courses per year
- TOP (Trauma Orientation Program): 4 courses per year
- TMM (Trauma Multidisciplinary Meeting): 3 per year
Conferences:
• STACC (Singapore Trauma & Acute Care Conference): Biennial For more information, visit www.singaporetrauma.com
Research & Innovation: Fellows are encouraged to engage in research activities. Opportunities include:
- Presenting research at national/international scientific meetings
- Publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals
Research is supported by administrative staff who provide guidance and access to data from the trauma registry and other possible data source from the institution.