The National Healthcare Group has upgraded its human resource system with a cloud-powered platform that drives staff mobility and data-driven decision-making. 

WHAT IT'S ABOUT

Through the iConnect@NHG project, the health cluster underwent a modernisation of its HR system to cater to the evolving needs of its 20,000 staff who care for 1.5 million people across central and north Singapore. 

At the core of its modernised HR system is the HR platform from SAP. Integrated with SAP's cloud-based predictive analytics and business intelligence software service, the platform provides real-time workforce data visibility, helping inform decisions on talent management and workforce planning. 

NHG can now also manage staff performance, engagement, and well-being by accessing comprehensive, streamlined workforce data, paired with sentiment analysis.

Additionally, NHG implemented a low-code tool from SAP – a first among the public health clusters – providing employees easy access to tasks, policies, and personalised workspaces. 

The first phase of the project, which began in January last year, introduced modules, including Central, Time Management, Recruitment, Onboarding, Learning and Development, and Performance and Goal Management. The second phase, which started over a year ago in November, rolled out advanced features, such as Succession Management and Compensation Planning.

WHY IT MATTERS

For its HR modernisation, NHG adopted a mobile-first, data-driven approach. "We needed a system that could enhance mobility, improve data accuracy, and support continuous learning – all while being accessible to employees on the go," explained NHG chief HR officer Khoo Swee Lan.

NHG noted from the first month of implementation that about 90% of staff, or 19,000, readily utilised their new employee mobile application. Over 95% also logged into the HR platform and completed more than 25,000 workflows. 

Besides enhancing employee engagement and reducing administrative tasks, these early findings also indicate that data access empowers staff to make proactive decisions. 

THE LARGER TREND

Synapxe, Singapore's national health tech agency, has recently rolled out a common analytics platform for the public healthcare system. The cloud-hosted HEALIX (Health Empowerment thru Advanced Learning & Intelligent eXchange) consolidates existing data infrastructures from individual hospitals and health facilities. It also provides access to cloud-native tools for developing AI models – which Synapxe has been promoting to the sector.

Enabling data-driven decisions is what also led NHG to provide its community care partners with access to a health programme management platform. The NHG Cares Partners Portal allows these community partners to monitor care demand by tracking registration and attendance and real-time updates, as well as gain access to anonymised population health data for designing programmes tailored to communities.