Official Opening of Mount Alvernia Hospital, Singapore

Mother Mary Francis Spring (partially obscured), Dato Lee Kong Chian, Archbishop Olcomendy and Mother Angela McBrien at the official opening of Mount Alvernia Hospital on 4 March 1961.

Completion of the hospital’s First Extension, providing additional Outpatient facilities, Delivery Suites and Operating Theatres

Second Extension, a 48-bed wing, is opened by then Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew

Third Major Extension catering to aged and chronically ill patients in financial need is opened by Archbishop Olcomendy. It is named Khoo Block after its benefactor, Mr Khoo Yang Tin.

In the same year, hospice services are established and provided in a dedicated wing of the hospital.

Opening of two more extensions, bringing the total number of beds to 221

The Sisters move into their new purpose-built convent. They will live here for the next 16 years until moving again to make way for the conversion of the convent building into the Assisi Home and Hospice.

Clinical Pastoral Care services are introduced to Mount Alvernia Hospital. This is a supportive ministry given to patients and their relatives who may be in need of support in coping with illness, or coming to terms with incapacitation.

Appointment of the first Hospital Administrator

Appointment of the first lay Director of Nursing

In the same year, a new 184-lot three-level carpark is also opened.

The Assisi Home and Hospice is officially opened by the then President of Singapore, Mr Wee Kim Wee. The hospice aims to provide home, day and inpatient care for terminally ill cancer patients. Patients at the 35-bed hospice receive specialized medical attention to relieve them of pain and discomfort.

The charity is an outreach service of Mount Alvernia Hospital and financially supported by the Hospital, corporate and public donations.

A new Health Education Centre comprising a Lecture Hall, Seminar Room and Conference Room with seating capacities of 100, 35 and 24 respectively is commissioned. It is named the Dr Ee Peng Liang Education Centre.

The hospital increases the number of beds to 303.

In the same year, Medical Centre B with more new medical suites is completed.

Home Care Services for patients are started for continuity of care and to provide better service to patients.

The Assisi Children’s Centre is opened by Mrs Goh Chok Tong to provide children with cancer a home away from home while their families are at work.

Addition of 9 more medical suites, bringing the number of medical suites on campus to 45.

In line with the hospital’s continuous efforts to keep breast of technological advances, a 64-slice Multidetector CT Scanner is acquired by the Diagnostic Imaging Department. The 64-slice scanner is able to produce superior quality high resolution images and generate 3-dimensional images for non-invasive assessment of the coronary arteries in CT angiography and of the colon in CT colonography or virtual colonoscopy.

The same year marks the commencement of Cardiac Services to provide the full range of integrated cardiac services to patients – including preventive care, diagnostic testing and surgery.

Mount Alvernia Hospital facilitates its First Water Birth under the care of consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Dr Lai Fon Min. Baby Julian Jeff has a safe delivery on 15 January after his mother – originally from the United States, requests a water birth at the hospital.

In the same year, Mount Alvernia Hospital participates in a bid to establish a new Guinness World Record for synchronised breastfeeding at multiple sites. A mass synchronised breastfeeding event at the hospital on 8 August gathers more than 35 past and present patients of the hospital who are still breastfeeding their children. Our participation is in tandem with our strong belief in celebrating the joys of motherhood.

Within the same year, additional services for the convenience of patients and visitors are introduced – a free bus shuttle service plying between Novena MRT station and the hospital, and valet parking for those who drive.