Adj Asst Prof Melvin Tan is a UK fellowship-trained Consultant Surgeon who holds dual appointments in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at both National University Hospital and Alexandra Hospital. He currently leads the Adult Reconstruction Service for joint replacement surgery at Alexandra Hospital, where he has pioneered programmes that help patients recover faster and return home safely within hours of surgery. He is available for consultations at both hospitals.
Adj Asst Prof Tan completed his basic medical degree at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. He subsequently embarked on Residency training in Orthopaedic Surgery at National University Hospital, as one of the earliest trainee into the ACGME-I accredited residency programme. He was accepted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh at completion of his specialist training.
Clinical Expertise
Adj Asst Prof Tan specialises in disorders of the hip and knee joints and lower limb. His practice includes joint replacement surgeries of the hip and knee (partial and total), robotic-assisted joint replacements, knee sports surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and complex revision joint replacements (second time surgery) for failed joints. Adj Asst Prof Tan has unique experience in adopting patient-specific pathways for enhanced recovery, with majority of his patients walking and climbing stairs within a day after surgery. His care is customised to each patient’s needs, supported by fellowship training and experience gained from visiting leading centres in Australia, Europe, the UK, India, and China. Adj Asst Prof Tan’s dedication to patient‑centred care is reflected in his repeated recognition through service quality awards conferred at hospital and national levels.
International Fellowship
Adj Asst Prof Tan was the first international surgeon to be selected for higher surgical training at South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC) at London, United Kingdom, under the Health Manpower Development Plan award conferred by the Ministry of Health Singapore for his fellowship. SWLEOC is a NHS Centre of Excellence for hip and knee replacement surgery that is well recognised both nationally and internationally. At this largest high-volume joint replacement centre in the UK and one of the largest in Europe, Adj Asst Prof Tan underwent comprehensive training in complex joint reconstruction of hip and knee, high-risk joint replacements, minimally invasive hip replacement surgery (including direct anterior approach), partial knee replacements and knee sports surgery under the mentorship of various renowned surgeons in their respective fields. He has refined his use of different modern implants and surgical techniques to improve patient-reported outcomes after surgery in addition to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols.
Innovation and Leadership
As the Lead / Head of Service for Adult Reconstruction Service at Alexandra Hospital, Adj Asst Prof Tan pioneered the NUHS cluster’s first same-day discharge programme for joint replacement patients at Alexandra Hospital, enabling suitable candidates to return home safely within hours of surgery. Drawing on his fellowship experience, he adapted international best practices into the local healthcare system and built a collaborative network across surgical, nursing, anaesthesia, rehabilitation, care managers and clinical operations teams.
Adj Asst Prof Tan further redefined care delivery by launching the NUHS cluster’s first nurse-led clinic for joint replacement, and introducing dedicated joint reconstruction care manager roles at Alexandra Hospital – embedding new models of team-based practice that strengthen continuity of care and patient experience. His vision is to grow this initiative into an Ambulatory Surgery Centre (ASC) programme that is scalable, showcasing how multidisciplinary innovation can redefine standards of orthopaedic care across institutions. These initiatives reflect his commitment to collaboration and healthcare redesign, combining surgical excellence with enhanced recovery pathways, reducing hospital stay while maintaining safety and outstanding patient outcomes.
Education and Leadership
Beyond clinical work, Adj Asst Prof Tan is also active in education and healthcare leadership. He is a clinical tutor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, a regular examiner for the undergraduate examinations in Orthopaedic Surgery, and mentor to trainees and international clinical fellows. He previously served as Chief Resident representative for in the Singapore Chief Residency Program (SCRP) - a year-long national programme led by the Healthcare Leadership College, Ministry of Health to nurture clinicians in leadership, teaching, management and policy competencies. He has held leadership positions in Singapore Orthopaedic Trainee’s Committee of the Singapore Orthopaedic Association. His experience in these roles continues to shape improvements in patient care and the ongoing development of Alexandra Hospital’s joint replacement centre.
Research and Publications
Adj Asst Prof Tan undertakes research and has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at loco-regional and international conferences. At present, he is involved as a co-investigator for a study looking at decision-making tool in treatment of knee osteoarthritis, backed by a prestigious grant conferred by National Medical Research Council, Singapore. Adj Asst Prof Tan is a keen educator and regularly tutors and lectures medical students and post-graduate trainees on hip and knee conditions. Adj Asst Prof Tan also mentors international clinical fellows and visiting surgeons who seek to enhance their experience in joint replacement and robotic surgeries.
Conditions Treated
• Singapore Health Quality Service Award (SHQSA) 2026 – Star (Individual category)
• Singapore Health Quality Service Award (SHQSA) 2025 – Silver (Individual category)
