[CM] [WH] [E3] [CRA] [T2] Treatment and Control

Introduction

Part 2: RAR – Treatment and Control outlines Woodlands Health’s strategic approach to managing the threats identified in the preceding risk assessment.

As a 1,000-bed integrated acute and community hospital serving the Northern population of Singapore, Woodlands Health operates within a complex environment where service continuity is critical.

The healthcare campus spans acute, sub-acute, rehabilitative, transitional, and long-term care services, as well as specialist centres for women and children.

Given its role as a key healthcare provider, the organisation must ensure that risks—whether from natural disasters, man-made events, workforce shortages, supply chain interruptions, or technology disruptions—are addressed through robust treatment strategies and layered controls.

This chapter categorises risk treatment into four main approaches—Risk Avoidance, Risk Reduction, Risk Transference, and Risk Acceptance—and documents both existing measures and additional planned controls.

Together, these strategies aim to safeguard patient care, protect staff and resources, and maintain operational resilience in alignment with Woodlands Health’s mission of seamless care integration and community well-being.

RAR Risk Treatment and Evaluation of Existing Controls

Part 2: CRA – Treatment and Control for Woodlands Health

Threat	Existing Risk Treatment – Risk Avoidance	Existing Risk Treatment – Risk Reduction	Existing Risk Treatment – Risk Transference	Existing Risk Treatment – Risk Acceptance	Existing Controls	Additional (Planned) Controls
Denial of Access – Natural Disaster (e.g., flood, haze)	Locate key facilities on elevated ground and away from high-risk flood zones	Implement flood barriers, haze air-filtration systems, and weather monitoring alerts	Property insurance covering natural disaster damages	Accept minor service delays for non-critical functions	Elevated building design, sheltered walkways, critical utilities on upper floors	Develop alternative care sites in unaffected areas; pre-arranged transport plans for staff/patients
Denial of Access – Man-made Disaster (e.g., terrorism, civil unrest)	Avoid high-risk event areas for outreach programmes	Access control systems, perimeter fencing, security patrols	Insurance for damages and disruption	Acceptance of residual risk for low-likelihood scenarios	24/7 security presence, CCTV coverage, coordination with local police	Regular joint drills with law enforcement; upgrade to biometric access controls
Unavailability of People (e.g., pandemic, mass sick leave)	Limit dependency on single individuals for critical roles	Cross-training staff, flexible work arrangements, and telehealth services	Outsource certain non-core functions during shortages	Accept lower service capacity for non-urgent cases	Workforce rostering system, PPE stockpiles, and remote access to hospital systems	Maintain a reserve pool of trained locum and volunteer healthcare workers
Disruption to the Supply Chain (e.g., medical supplies shortage)	Avoid reliance on a single supplier	Multi-vendor contracts, larger stockpile of critical items	Contractual clauses for supplier penalties or alternative sourcing	Accept delays for non-critical supplies	Inventory management system, long-term supplier agreements	Develop a local supplier network; explore on-site production of certain consumables
Equipment and IT-Related Disruption (e.g., system outage, equipment failure)	Avoid outdated or unsupported equipment	Preventive maintenance schedules, redundant IT systems	Cybersecurity insurance, extended warranties	Accept downtime for non-essential equipment	Backup servers, dual power supply, 24/7 IT support	Implement cloud-based EHR redundancy; expand predictive maintenance using IoT sensors

Legend

Risk Avoidance: A Strategy to prevent risk from occurring entirely.
Risk Reduction: Minimise the likelihood or impact through controls.
Risk Transference: Shift impact to third parties (e.g., insurers).
Risk Acceptance: Tolerating the risk as part of the business strategy.
Existing Controls: Measures already implemented.
Additional Controls: Planned improvements and new initiatives.

Conclusion

The treatment and control strategies outlined in this chapter represent Woodlands Health’s commitment to proactive risk management and operational continuity.

By applying a balanced mix of avoidance, reduction, transference, and acceptance measures, the organisation ensures that threats are addressed in a manner proportionate to their likelihood and potential impact.

Existing controls provide a strong foundation for resilience, while the planned enhancements reflect a continuous improvement mindset, ensuring that the hospital remains agile and prepared for evolving risks.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of these treatments lies not only in their design but also in their integration into daily operations, staff training, and emergency response protocols.

Through vigilant monitoring, regular testing, and collaboration with community and national agencies, Woodlands Health will continue to strengthen its capacity to withstand disruptions and uphold its role as a trusted healthcare provider for the Northern region of Singapore.

Operational Readiness: Crisis Management Implementation for Woodlands Health
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