Singapore Physiotherapy Association November A Quarterly Newsletter by the Singapore Physiotherapy Association. Welcome to the new format of our

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1 ExCHANGE A Quarterly Newsletter by the Singapore Physiotherapy Association In this edition: Spotlight: 8 th SPA National Congress Showcase: Know your council members Welcome: New Members Upgrade: Education Listing Newsbyte About ExCHANGE ExCHANGE is a quarterly newsletter that shares the happenings and the works of the Singapore Physiotherapy Association. Editorial Team of ExCHANGE Editor: Derek Tan Contributors: Qamaruzaman Syed Gani Shirlynn Cai Editor s Note Welcome to the new format of our newsletter! Our newsletter is now known as ExCHANGE. With ExCHANGE, we hope that this communication platform will see a very vibrant sharing of information and ideas. September was a busy month as we saw a lot of ExChanges of information in the form of our 8 th National Congress. This issue, we bring you the highlights of the congress. 9 As we approach the end of 2012, let us take some time to reflect as individuals, team members and as a larger 10 physiotherapy community. How can we refresh ourselves for the new changes ahead? On behalf of the editorial team and the Singapore Physiotherapy Association, we wish you happy holidays and happy Derek Tan Editor Council 2012/14 Thank you Council 2012 Thank you Council Thank you Council Administrator: Helen Tjow For all editorial queries and feedback, please our administrator at admin@physiotherapy.org.sg ExCHANGE is a publication by Singapore Physiotherapy Association. The views and opinions expressed or implied in ExCHANGE do not necessarily reflect those of the Association. Articles may not be reproduced without the editorial team s permission 1

SPOTLIGHT: 8 th SPA NATIONAL CONGRESS The Singapore Physiotherapy Association held its 8 th National congress on 8 th 9 th September 2012.

2 SPOTLIGHT: 8 th SPA NATIONAL CONGRESS The Singapore Physiotherapy Association held its 8 th National congress on 8 th 9 th September With the theme: Promoting Health through Physiotherapy, it aimed to showcase how Physiotherapy is relevant in promoting health through one s life. This year, the organizing committee decided to include a public forum in the program. The 3-hour long public forum took place at the Conrad Centennial Singapore, where it saw 280 participants coming forth to find out more about our profession. The comprehensive program included a range of topics aimed at educating the public on the available Physiotherapy services that are vital in enhancing one s life through preventative care and injury management. The crowd was introduced to a panel of expert speakers who were passionate to enrich the public about Falls prevention, Active Aging, Ergonomics, Chronic Disease Management, Sports injury prevention and Management and even several pediatric topics on Developmental Milestones, Idiopathic Scoliosis, and Traumatic Brain Injury management in children. Mdm Tan S.C, a 72 year old forum participant commented, The talk on active aging was very informative and I personally learned a lot from the speaker. I look forward to similar talks in the future. Picture: A section of members of public attending the forum. 2

Ms Laodamia Wong, the Public Forum Chairperson from the Congress Organising Committee added, It was heartening to witness the success of the event, as we hear positive feedback from the public.

3 Ms Laodamia Wong, the Public Forum Chairperson from the Congress Organising Committee added, It was heartening to witness the success of the event, as we hear positive feedback from the public. The forum has served its objectives of informing and educating the public on the works of our physiotherapy profession. Health Minister Gan Kim Yong graced the opening ceremony as our guest of honour. In his speech, Mr Gan acknowledged our growth and development as a healthcare profession. Physiotherapy has gained a good standing as an allied health profession over its 60-year history in Singapore, he added. He highlighted the challenges of our healthcare system and his ministry s plans on how physiotherapy can value add to the healthcare system. He concluded encouragingly, Physiotherapists will have a lot to offer in the days ahead towards raising the standards of allied healthcare in Singapore while keeping it cost-effective and safe. The Singapore Physiotherapy Association will have a key role to play in bringing the professionals together towards greater heights and excellence. Physiotherapists will have a lot to offer in the days ahead towards raising the standards of allied healthcare in Singapore while keeping it cost-effective and safe. - Health Minister Gan Kim Yong Picture: Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, Guest of Honour 3

Mr Philip Cheong, Chairperson, Congress Organising Committee gave a short opening to welcome the guest of honour and thanked the hard work done by his colleagues in the Organising Committee and the

4 Mr Philip Cheong, Chairperson, Congress Organising Committee gave a short opening to welcome the guest of honour and thanked the hard work done by his colleagues in the Organising Committee and the Scientific Committee. A strong advocate for the profession, Philip concluded in his speech, Lastly, I would like to urge all physiotherapists to join the Singapore Physiotherapy Association. This is our professional association and together we can make a positive difference in the local healthcare system. A strong association ultimately means a strong profession, without your support and your voices, this will not be possible. A strong association ultimately means a strong profession, without your support and your voices, this will not be possible. - Mr Philip Cheong Picture: Mr Philip Cheong, Chairperson, Organising Committee of the 8 th National Congress Mr Dinesh Verma, President of the Singapore Physiotherapy Association, in his speech during the opening ceremony, sincerely thanked Philip for leading the organising committee, Yong Hao and his scientific committee members. He reaffirmed Minister Gan s call for the Association to bring the profession to a greater height. With changing dynamics (of the healthcare system and aging population) we as an association need to address the challenges which will lead our profession to a new era. We as an association need to address the challenges which will lead our profession to a new era. - Mr Dinesh Verma 4

Dr Marilyn Moffat, President of the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT), prerecorded a short congratulatory speech for the Singapore Physiotherapy Association and

- Dr Marilyn Moffat Picture: Dr Marilyn Moffat of WCPT The highlight of the opening ceremony was the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Singapore

5 Dr Marilyn Moffat, President of the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT), prerecorded a short congratulatory speech for the Singapore Physiotherapy Association and wished all physiotherapists well in the congress. Wishing all physiotherapists in Singapore, a Happy World Physiotherapy Day. - Dr Marilyn Moffat Picture: Dr Marilyn Moffat of WCPT The highlight of the opening ceremony was the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Singapore Physiotherapy Association (SPA) and the Health Promotion Board (HPB). The MOU entails the exploration and collaboration for physiotherapists to play a larger role of health promotion in Singapore. Picture: Cake cutting to officiate the opening 5

6 Picture: Signing of MOU with HPB Picture: Prof Peter O Sullivan, Keynote Speaker Know your Council 6

7 1 Organising Committee-7 Members, 1 Scientific Committee-9 Members 13 months of planning, 57 hours of meetings. 1 Public Forum 280 registered public members 9 workshops, 16 lectures, 3 oral presentation platforms, 8 public forum tracks 24 invited speakers Over 200 Participants From 10 countries A BIG THANK YOU TO: 8 th National Congress Organising Committee Chairperson: Mr Philip Cheong Vice Chairperson: Ms Grace Lim Members: Ms Shirlynn Cai Ms Lee Sin Yi Ms Minakshi Pandey Ms Laodamia Wong Ms Maureen Loh 8 th National Congress Scientific Committee Chairperson: Dr Pua Yong Hao Vice Chairperson: Mr Lim Pang Hung Members: Mr Jayachandran Balachandran Ms Mong Yi Qin Ms Carolina Png Ms Tee Lee Huan Ms Tilda Teo Ms Yong Limin Advisor: A/Prof Wong Wai Pong Know your Council members 7

8 Showcase: Know your Council members Know your Council members Last issue, we introduced the exco of the council. The various portfolios of the council members are separated into 2 groups, the Professional Group and the Association Group. This issue, we will introduce council members serving in the Professional Group. Professional Group has 3 committees that look into the areas related to professional issues like professional development (Education and SIG), accreditation, research and policy. Mr Er Beng Siong Council Member ( ) Accreditation Committee, Professional Group Singapore Physiotherapy Association Editor: Hi Beng Siong, welcome onboard the council. Can you tell us more about yourself? Beng Siong: I m running my own private practice, Physiotherapy Associates for the last 12 years after leaving the public sector. I was serving as the Accreditatio n and Standards Committee Chairperson in the previous council and am continuing this portfolio in the current council. In my free time, I like to play golf and do pottery. Editor: Can you tell us why you decided to continue to serve in the council? Beng Siong: We started some projects in the last term and I hope to further reinforce the standard of professional practice in Singapore. It is also good for the council to have some experience and continuity to consolidate the works of the Association. Editor: Can you share what has been your guiding principle as a council member and a physiotherapist? Beng Siong: I always believe that integrity is vital in our practice. Doing the right things and then doing things right. Editor: Thank you Beng Siong for the sharing. We hope to hear from you again. 8

Showcase: Know your Council members Ms Angie Wong Council Member (2012-14) Education Committee, Professional Group Singapore Physiotherapy Association Editor: Hi Angie, welcome onboard as a council

9 Showcase: Know your Council members Ms Angie Wong Council Member ( ) Education Committee, Professional Group Singapore Physiotherapy Association Editor: Hi Angie, welcome onboard as a council member. Can you tell us more about yourself and share with us what made you decide to step up to serve as a council member? Angie: I m working as a physiotherapist at Mt. Elizabeth Hospital and I came to know more about the works of Association when I was helping my senior, Mr Michael Yan who was in the previous council. I was intrigued by the professional issues that arise from the brief involvement and decided to take the plunge to look into the issues in depth. I personally feel that by serving, it will contribute to my learning and growth as a professional. Editor: Can you share with us your observation regarding the issues that you have mentioned? Angie: Well, professional development is one of the first issues that caught my eye. Continuous education is a challenge for physiotherapists in a smaller department, in the community sector as well as some private practitioners. The availability and affordability of courses pose as a barrier for some physiotherapists out there. It will be good for the Association to address these issues. Editor: Thank you for your sharing. We look forward to hear from you soon. 9

Showcase: Know your Council members Mr Vimal Palanichamy Council Member (2012-14) Education Committee, Professional Group Singapore Physiotherapy Association Editor: Hi Vimal, welcome onboard as a

10 Showcase: Know your Council members Mr Vimal Palanichamy Council Member ( ) Education Committee, Professional Group Singapore Physiotherapy Association Editor: Hi Vimal, welcome onboard as a council member. Can you tell us more about yourself and share with us what made you decide to step up to serve as a council member? Vimal: I m currently working as a physiotherapist at NUHS and have been a PT for the last 12 years. My interest is in the area of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. I was nominated at the AGM and I guess it s an honour to be able to serve fellow colleagues; after all, I ve been serving my patients for the past 12 years. Editor: Can you briefly share with us the Education Committee plans? Vimal: Our predecessor, Michael did a wonderful job organising and putting a structure in place for education activities to take place. Angie and I will continue to build on that strong foundation. We are also launching a few more special interest groups in the next few months. We are also looking at the various educational needs for all physiotherapists working in the various sectors. Editor: That s indeed exciting for us to look forward to. We hope you enjoy your term in the council. Under the purview of the Professional Group, Research Committee is co-chaired by Mr Low Hsien Chih and Ms Yong Limin. Both of them hold concurrent portfolios in the council. Mr Low Hsien Chih is also our Hon. Secretary and Ms Yong Limin is our Hon. Treasurer. Both of them were featured in the last issue of Know your council member. Look out for the final 5 council members serving under the Association Group in the next issue. 10

Mr Ong Pang Hao 9. Ms Teng Sok Ching 10. Ms Ong Pei Gin 11. Ms Vidya Veerapandiyan 12. Mr Minor Samidurai Rengsamy 13.

11 WELCOME TO THE SPA FAMILY! (AUGUST-OCTOBER 2012) New Ordinary Members 1. Mr Siva Guru Thankikodi 2. Ms Sonali Jaiswal 3. Ms Rhythm Sampat 4. Ms Valerie Yeong 5. Ms Ng Keat Hwee 6. Ms Yee Zhi Rong 7. Ms Nur Syuhada Bte Emanan 8. Mr Ong Pang Hao 9. Ms Teng Sok Ching 10. Ms Ong Pei Gin 11. Ms Vidya Veerapandiyan 12. Mr Minor Samidurai Rengsamy 13. Ms Aditi Kamble 14. Dr Muhammed Rahizan Zainuldin 15. Mr Karthikeyan Rajasekaran 16. Mr Lim Rui Hong, Lionel 17. Ms Kylie Siu 18. Ms Khong Bee Bee 11

12 UPGRADE: EDUCATION LISTING Dates 17 th -18 th Nov Nov Dec Course Title MS Workshop: Polishing up your Manual Therapy to treat Spinal cases. (Part 1) Take the Spiraling Plunge : Your First Step to Basic Vestibular Rehabilitation Gait in the Person with Amputation (Orthopaedic series) Examining the lower quadrant (Musculoskeletal Series) Speaker Mr Er Beng Siong Mr Lim Hun Teck Mr Ng Chong Ching TTSH TTSH Organiser SPA AHI AHI April Jan 2013 Oct March 2013 June April th Feb 1 st March 2013 Advanced Certificate in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (ACMP) 2012 Advanced Certificate in Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy (ACCP) 2012 Advanced Certificate in Neurological Physiotherapy (ACNP) 2012 RESNA Fundamentals Course in Assistive Technology SGH SGH SGH PGAHI PGAHI PGAHI - RehabTech Asia More listings can be found on our webpage under: research/standards or you can click onto the following link. Featured Education Series 12

13 NEWSBYTE A/Prof Celia s experience and dedication to the Association will be the biggest plus to our Council and the Association. Mr Dinesh Verma President of SPA ( ) A/Prof Celia Tan Honorary Advisor to Singapore Physiotherapy Association Picture taken from SingHealth The Council has re-appointed A/Prof Celia Tan as the Association s Honorary Advisor with effect from 1 st July She will serve as our advisor for the Council of till the term ends for the Council. A/Prof Celia Tan was our president from She has made tremendous contributions to the profession locally, regionally and internationally. A/Prof Celia s experience and dedication to the Association will be the biggest plus to our Council and the Association, said Mr Dinesh Verma, President of the Association ( ). The Council looks forward to work with A/Prof Celia. 13

NEWSBYTE Since the last announcement of the congress dates by WCPT, nominations for WCPT 2015 International Scientific Committee (ISC) was called in September 2012.

14 NEWSBYTE Since the last announcement of the congress dates by WCPT, nominations for WCPT 2015 International Scientific Committee (ISC) was called in September The International Scientific Committee is a prestigious and experienced group of physiotherapists carefully selected by the WCPT to plan the content and format of the scientific and educational programme for the Congress. We have received a total of 4 proposals from our members and after evaluation from the SPA- WCPT 2015 Committee; the committee submitted the proposals for the Council to endorse as SPA s nominations. The 4 nominees are A/Prof Celia Tan, A/Prof Wong Wai Pong, Dr Bala S.Rajaratnam and Dr Rahizan Zainuldin. The results of the appointment are expected to be announced by WCPT early next year. On the local front, the SPA-WCPT 2015 committee is regularly meeting WCPT to plan the congress happening in Mr Dinesh Verma, President of SPA is our committee representative to the WCPT Congress Committee while Mr Derek Tan is the local coordinator for WCPT The SPA-WCPT 2015 Committee is heartened by the response of the local and regional physiotherapists wanting to volunteer for the Congress However, we do need alot more volunteers as we play host to our international friends who will be united in Singapore for the once in four year s event. For more enquiries on volunteers opportunities, please contact Mr Derek derktan@gmail.com From SPA-WCPT 2015 Committee: Mr Dinesh Verma Mr Low Hsien Chih Mr Derek Tan Ms Lee Sin Yi Ms Roselyn Choo Ms Grace Lim Ms Maureen Loh 14

NEWSBYTE Singapore Physiotherapy Association will be turning 50 in 2014.

If you would like to be part of the workgroup, please do drop Gin, our admin executive at secretary@physiotherapy.org.sg. HOT FROM THE PRESS: FREE SCIENTIFIC MEETING BY EASTERN HEALTH ALLIANCE.

15 NEWSBYTE Singapore Physiotherapy Association will be turning 50 in To celebrate this milestone, the Council has approved the commissioning of a workgroup which will be responsible to plan the event. If you would like to be part of the workgroup, please do drop Gin, our admin executive at secretary@physiotherapy.org.sg. HOT FROM THE PRESS: FREE SCIENTIFIC MEETING BY EASTERN HEALTH ALLIANCE. FOR REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION, PLEASE REFER TO Advertising Disclaimer Clause: The Singapore Physiotherapy Association ("SPA") acts only as a disseminator of content (including but not limited to information, opinions, advice, announcements and advertisements) originating from and/or supplied by third parties. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including information providers, are those of the respective author(s) or distributor(s) and not of SPA. SPA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any content supplied by third parties, nor its fitness for any purpose. SPA neither endorses nor is responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any advertisements by third parties. Under no circumstances will SPA be liable for any loss and damage caused by any recipient's reliance on information from third parties. It is the responsibility of the reader to evaluate the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, opinion, advice or other content in this newsletter. Please seek the advice of professionals, as appropriate, regarding the evaluation of any specific information, opinion, advice or other content." Singapore Physiotherapy Association

5 th SPA VISIONING WORKSHOP

5 th SPA VISIONING WORKSHOP LEADERSHIP TRANSITIONS - PROVIDING CONTINUITY AND MAINTAINING PROGRESS FOR THE PROFESSION IN SINGAPORE March 2016 FOREWORD It has been our tradition, since 1995, that the council,