Areas Of Care
Palliative Care
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is the provision of specialised medical care for people diagnosed with advanced and life-limiting diseases such as organ failure or advanced cancer, with the goal of relieving symptoms and enhancing quality of life.
Palliative care can support patients at any stage of a life-limiting condition, not just end-of-life. It can be administered in a variety of settings – at home, or in nursing homes, community hospitals, hospices and acute hospitals.
When is professional help needed?
Living with a serious or life-limiting illness such as advanced cancer, heart or lung disease, or neurological conditions
At any stage of a serious illness — from diagnosis through to advanced stages
Preference for treatment focusing on comfort and improving quality of life
Managing side effects from treatment such as pain, fatigue, or breathlessness
Requiring emotional, social, or spiritual support for you or your family
Making important decisions about future care (advance care planning)
The SLH Difference
Comprehensive Care, Every Step of the Way
From hospital to home, we provide a full spectrum of palliative care services — ensuring seamless and continuous support throughout your care journey.
Holistic Care Philosophy
Our Clinical, Social, Pastoral care model addresses your physical, social and emotional needs, restoring you beyond wellness to wholeness.
Award-Winning Excellence
Nationally recognised for service quality and innovation, we deliver palliative care that maintains comfort and dignity.
Your Care, Our Collective Expertise
Our team of healthcare professionals works together to design a personalised care plan tailored to your unique needs.
Our Holistic Palliative Care Services
We focus on helping you live more comfortably, while giving you the freedom to make choices about your care.
- Symptom management, including pain, fatigue, breathlessness or nausea
- Enhancing quality of life with personalised medical and nursing support
- Nutritional counselling and tailored dietary advice
Our rehabilitation team supports patients in maintaining comfort, independence, and dignity through personalised therapy, including:
Physiotherapy
- Physical mobility assessment and intervention focusing on end-of-life management
- Symptom management
- Pain relief
- Airway clearance
Occupational Therapy
- Energy conservation
- Activity modification
- Meaningful activity engagement, e.g. creation of life book with family
Speech Therapy
- Enhance communication
- Support safe swallowing
- Foster self-expression
- Improve emotional well-being
- Support pain management
- Facilitate psycho-emotional processing
- Strengthen family relationships
- Pre-bereavement support
We journey with you and your family, offering practical, emotional and spiritual guidance along the way:
- Counselling and social work support to address emotional, practical and financial concerns
- Advance care planning to ensure your wishes are respected
- Celebrating special occasions with family and friends
We support families and caregivers with knowledge, guidance and emotional care, helping them find comfort and resilience in challenging times:
- Grief and bereavement support for families coping with loss
- Memorial services to honour and remember loved ones
- Counselling and support to strengthen emotional and financial well-being
Continuity of Care
At St Luke’s Hospital, we deliver holistic and personalised palliative care that extends beyond our wards. Our integrated services ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home, providing continuous support every step of the way.
Government Subsidy
If you’re a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident, you may qualify for subsidies based on the National Means Test.
Reach out to check your eligibility — we’re here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
ST LUKE’S HOSPITAL ADMITS PATIENTS WITH THE FOLLOWING PROFILE:
- Any patient who is 40 years or older can be admitted for medical care and rehabilitation.
- Of any race and religion; and
- Medically stable for physical rehabilitation or continuing care.
- For patients suffering from stroke, hip fracture, amputations and general de-conditioning post surgical / medical conditions
PATIENTS UNSUITABLE* FOR ADMISSION INCLUDE THOSE WHO:
- Have unresolved social problems / discharge plan
- Have drains, traction, or require heavy spinal nursing care
- Require assisted ventilation
*Criteria for inpatient palliative care may differ from the above.
Yes. Patients have a choice of their step-down care institution. You may approach your primary team/doctor in your acute or primary care setting, or community hospital referral team of the hospital you are warded at and inform them of your choice.
Singapore citizens or permanent residents may select the ward class of their choice. We encourage you to choose the appropriate ward class, taking into account financial factors such as availability of insurance coverage and MediSave balance.
* Non-subsidised wards are available for non-resident patients.
The typical duration of each stay ranges from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the individual needs and condition of each patient.
A discharge plan is a customised plan to cater to the patient’s care needs post discharge. Most patients are discharged to return home but with scheduled follow-up appointments at our Day Rehabilitation Centre, St Luke’s Community Clinic or with Home Care Services. Some patients may be discharged to long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.
The cost of your hospital stay varies according to the admission type (Rehabilitation, Sub-acute Care or Palliative), length of stay and treatment needed. Please refer to our charges, payment and subsidies page for more information.
