[BCM] [NUHS] [ERM] [C1] Overview of Healthcare Risk Management

Chapter 1

Overview of Healthcare Risk Management in NUHS

Overview of Objectives

The objective of this chapter is to lay the groundwork for understanding how effective risk management contributes to operational resilience in healthcare settings, with a specific focus on NUHS.

As healthcare systems face increasingly complex challenges—from pandemics to cyber threats to regulatory changes—Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and Business Continuity Management (BCM) are no longer optional add-ons but essential strategic functions.

This chapter aims to:

• Establish a clear understanding of the healthcare-specific risk landscape.
• Contextualise risk within NUHS’s integrated care model.
• Emphasise the strategic value of an integrated approach to ERM and BCM.
• Set the stage for deeper exploration into specific risk domains and mitigation strategies in subsequent sections.

Overview of NUHS and the Healthcare ERM Landscape

About NUHS

The National University Health System (NUHS) is a leading academic health system in Singapore, comprising an extensive network of hospitals, national speciality centres, polyclinics, and educational institutions.

NUHS delivers care through an integrated system that emphasises preventive health, value-based outcomes, and population health management.

The Evolving Healthcare Risk Landscape

The healthcare industry operates under significant scrutiny and pressure, where organisational decisions directly impact lives. Some key risk areas include:

• Clinical Risks: Medication errors, diagnostic inaccuracies, healthcare-associated infections.
• Operational Risks: Workforce shortages, equipment failures, and IT system downtime.
• Strategic Risks: Policy shifts, funding changes, reputational threats.
• Financial Risks: Claims volatility, cost overruns, and fraud.
• Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Risks: Ransomware attacks, data breaches, loss of patient confidentiality.

NUHS’s ERM framework addresses these categories systematically, guided by governance structures, regulatory requirements (e.g., MOH, PDPA), and enterprise-wide risk appetite statements.

The Importance of Integrated Risk and Business Continuity Approaches in Healthcare

In an environment as high-stakes and dynamic as healthcare, siloed risk and continuity planning is no longer sufficient.

A holistic and integrated approach ensures that organisations like NUHS can anticipate, absorb, respond to, and recover from disruptions while maintaining patient safety and service quality.

Key Benefits of Integration:

• Proactive Resilience: Aligning ERM with BCM allows for early identification of systemic vulnerabilities before they escalate into crises.
• Streamlined Response: Integrated frameworks create consistent communication protocols, escalation paths, and recovery strategies across departments and institutions.
• Resource Optimisation: Shared tools and information reduce duplication, improving the utilisation of manpower and technology.
• Regulatory Compliance: An integrated approach supports more efficient documentation and audit readiness for regulators and accreditation bodies.
• Continuity of Critical Functions: By linking risk identification to business continuity planning, NUHS ensures essential services (e.g., emergency care, laboratory services, electronic medical records) remain operational during disruptions.

Real-World Case Example

During the COVID-19 pandemic, NUHS’s integrated ERM and BCM structures played a pivotal role in activating response plans, reallocating clinical resources, safeguarding staff well-being, and continuing chronic disease management amid national lockdowns.

Summing Up ...

Risk is inherent in all healthcare operations, but with a structured and integrated ERM and BCM approach, organisations like NUHS can transform risk into opportunity.

This foundational chapter has set the stage for a deeper exploration into risk assessment methodologies, crisis management frameworks, and the role of leadership in embedding a resilient culture across the healthcare ecosystem.

In the chapters that follow, we will examine specific tools, case studies, and best practices to equip healthcare risk professionals with the skills necessary to navigate uncertainty and drive value for both patients and the broader healthcare system.

Disclaimer

This eBook is intended for internal and educational purposes only for BCM Institute. The content is based on publicly available information and is not endorsed or authorised by the National University Health System (NUHS).

While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the information provided may need to be more comprehensive and up-to-date. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. 

Proper Usage of Guidebook

This guidebook is a value-added service from BCM Institute, providing the National University Health System (NUHS) with a contextualised version of its enforcement of BCM implementation. It should only be used with BCM Institute's presentation or training, not as a standalone. Its objective is to support the BCM Institute's training and presentations, as well as the visual training sessions provided by the BCM Institute.

Note from Author/Speaker

In healthcare, managing risks isn’t just about avoiding problems—it’s about making sure that care continues, no matter what happens.

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) helps organisations see the bigger picture of risks, while Business Continuity Management (BCM) steps in to ensure that when disruptions occur, critical services can continue.

This webinar, presented by the National University Health System (NUHS), examines how these two areas work in tandem.

NUHS will share their perspective as a leading healthcare cluster. At the same time, this section focuses on the BCM side of the story—how continuity planning protects patients, supports staff, and ensures essential healthcare functions continue to run when challenges arise.

Think of this reading as a way to get familiar with how BCM fits into the broader ERM approach in healthcare. It sets the stage for exploring practical strategies, real-world experiences, and ideas you can bring back to your organisation.

More Information About Business Continuity Management Courses

To learn more about the course and schedule, click the buttons below for the BCM-300 Business Continuity Management Implementer [B-3] course and the BCM-5000 Business Continuity Management Expert Implementer [B-5].