Appropriate Care

What is the NUHS Appropriate Care Programme?

NUHS launched the Appropriate Care (Apt Care) Programme to reduce unnecessary tests, investigations, treatments, and referrals that offer little or no value to patients.

At the heart of the programme is a patient-centred approach—encouraging thoughtful conversations between healthcare providers and patients to ensure care delivered are evidence-based, necessary, and aligned with patients’ needs.

By focusing on the principles of appropriateness, NUHS strives to deliver high-quality care that avoids harm, improves health outcomes, and supports the sustainability of our healthcare system.

NUHS Appropriate Care Initiatives

To support the sustainability of our healthcare system, we have launched several key Apt Care initiatives, including:

• Laboratory Tests: Reduce inappropriate tests, including duplicative testing, starting with HbA1c.
• Care Consolidation: Optimise appropriateness of specialist referrals and consolidation of appointments.
• Bedside Testing: Reduce inappropriate point-of-care testing in inpatients, for example routine blood glucose monitoring.
• Medications: Reduce prescription of inappropriate and unnecessary medications.
• End-of-life Care: Reduce unnecessary medications and interventions to enhance quality at the end-of-life.

For more information on how Appropriate Care is practised across our institutions, click here to learn more about NUH’s Appropriate Care Programme.