She helps patients deal with bad news

She helps patients deal with bad news

Photo above: Ms Teresa Ng, a senior nurse clinician at the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

She is passionate about helping patients deal with breast cancer.

Said Ms Teresa Ng, 44, (above) from the KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH): "For a woman to be able to come to terms with breast cancer is daunting."

The senior nurse clinician from KKH's breast department has been reaching out to patients, comforting them and assisting them for the last four years.

Her greatest challenge is handling newly diagnosed patients, she told The New Paper.

"When they hear the unpleasant news of their diagnosis, they are usually devastated."

Her job is to help them come to terms with their diagnosis and seek treatment.

"Most of the time, it is very challenging," she said. "But seeing them accept their diagnosis, step out from their 'shells' and seek treatment, motivates me to work harder."

For example, one of her patients was initially very withdrawn when she was diagnosed last year.

Counselling

But Ms Ng spent a lot of time and effort trying to get this patient to open up.

Eventually, the patient responded to MsNg's counselling and agreed to go for treatment.

The patient even took part in a support group for breast cancer patients and a fund-raising event for the Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Ms Ng has often gone beyond the call of duty. Two years ago, she rushed back to hospital during Chinese New Year to attend to a patient.

She said: "The patient needed an urgent breast procedure and was in great distress and pain. I don't mind as I enjoy my work and believe in its significance."

Added Ms Ng, who is married with a 16-year-old son: "It is definitely challenging being a modern woman, but I have very supportive superiors and family members."

Said the director of KKH's nursing department, Ms Tan Soh Chin: "Ms Ng is a valuable employee. Her work in improving the quality of nursing care for patients with breast cancer is commendable.

"She also shares her knowledge readily and has trained many nurses in breast care."

On receiving her award, Ms Ng said: "I'm very happy that my efforts have been recognised and feel motivated to work even harder."

This article was first published in The New Paper.

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