Founded by Dr Seet Ai Mee and Dr Jerry Lim, Dover Park Hospice was registered as a charity in November. Construction began on our 40-bed residential hospice — a dedicated space built to bring comfort and dignity to patients nearing the end of life.

A ground-breaking ceremony at 10 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, officiated by then-President Wee Kim Wee, marked the beginning of our vision: to create a dignified environment where patients and families receive the compassionate support they deserve.

Under the leadership of our first Medical Director, Dr Rosalie Jean Shaw, DPH welcomed its first patients. That same year, the community rallied behind us through our inaugural Charity Golf Tournament and “The Golden Ball” — early acts of generosity that helped sustain our mission till this day.

DPH’s first volunteer outing, led by founder of Emerald Group, Mrs Ong Kim Ling, laid the groundwork for a strong volunteer culture, bringing the community together to support patients and their families.

On 19 April, DPH officially opened its Hospice Centre, launched by then-Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam.

That year, we also served as the lead agency for Singapore’s first Hospice Awareness Week, helping the nation better understand end-of-life care and the support available to families.

DPH introduced the Rose of Remembrance Memorial Service, creating a dedicated space for families and the community to honour loved ones who have passed on, grieve together and find closure.

DPH joined the Asia Pacific Hospice Network (APHN), strengthening regional collaboration and contributing to palliative care advancement. Also marking our 10th Anniversary, we hosted a Celebration Open House and Food Fair, bringing patients, families and supporters together.

DPH expanded care for patients with complex pain conditions by working closely with hospital specialists and introducing advanced pain management techniques, improving comfort and quality of life.

DPH became the first inpatient hospice in Singapore to be accredited for the Palliative Medicine Sub-Specialty Education programme. 

Following a major facility upgrade, DPH expanded its inpatient capacity by adding 10 inpatient beds, bringing the total to 50 beds to care for more patients. In December, DPH implemented the National Electronic Health Record under the Ministry of Health Intermediate and Long Term Care (MOH ILTC) Innovation Programme, to ensure safer, more coordinated care across healthcare settings.

Recognising that many patients wished to spend their final days in their own homes, DPH began offering its 24-hour Home Care service for patients in Central Singapore. These patients could receive services such as nursing, medical and psychosocial care at home.

In partnership with the National Cancer Centre Singapore and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, DPH launched the Specialist Diploma in Palliative Care Nursing, equipping nurses with advanced skills to support Singapore’s palliative care workforce.

DPH launched Programme Dignity, a three-year pilot funded by Temasek Foundation Cares. This ensured patients with advanced dementia to receive personalised, home-based care that honoured their routines, comfort and sense of safety.

Construction began on DPH’s new premises at the Integrated Care Hub (ICH) site. Designed to open in 2022, the new facility promised a more family-friendly environment and enhanced care continuity for patients with life-limiting illnesses.

DPH adopted Namaste Care, a sensory-based therapy using gentle touch, music and personalised interactions to comfort and affirm patients, particularly those with advanced dementia.

Many patients with advanced illness face declining mobility and social isolation. To support them, DPH launched its Day Care service, offering psychosocial and therapy-based activities in a warm, communal setting, while caregivers were given respite.

In partnership with TTSH, DPH launched Programme IMPACT, delivering targeted home palliative care for patients with end-stage organ failure, lung disease and frailty, enabling more non-cancer patients to receive meaningful support at home.

DPH introduced the 12-week R.I.S.E. (Restitutive, Integrative, Supportive, Empowering) programme to help patients with chronic lung disease self-manage breathlessness at home.

DPH piloted a bundled funding model that helped patients and families receive uninterrupted palliative care across care settings. This reduced fragmentation, eased transitions and ensured consistent support throughout the patient journey.

After 31 years at Jalan Tan Tock Seng, DPH moved to the new TTSH Integrated Care Hub (ICH). With expanded Day Care and inpatient capacity and more robust clinical infrastructure, DPH is now better equipped to meet Singapore’s growing need for accessible hospice care.

In partnership with Tan Tock Seng Hospital, DPH launched the IPCP to improve early referrals and smoother transitions between hospital and hospice care. Under this model, it has significantly improved outcomes for non-cancer patients and those with complex medical needs where 70% of patients in DPH’s Home Care service passed on at home according to patients’ wishes — exceeding the national average.