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CHANGI General Hospital has taken full responsiblity for the “lapse by our staff” and reprimanded the people involved.
Ms Lee Yen Yen, CGH’s director of nursing, said the hospital has apologised to the Sheun family.
“This is a serious matter... we believe that visits from loved ones are very important to the sick,” she told The New Paper.
Despite its visiting restrictions, the hospital makes “exceptions for those who are critically ill to receive an unlimited number of visitors” round the clock. “Everyone deserves to be in the company of loved ones during the final hours,” said Ms Lee.
 Mr Sheun was on the dangerously ill list, which should have permitted him four visitors even outside visiting hours. For patients on the critically ill list, there is no limit to the number of visitors and visiting hours.
Ms Lee said the night nurse did not make a note that Mr Sheun was placed on the list and failed to pass this information to the morning nurse.
“As a result, this information was not updated in the computer system, for visitations,” she added.
“We take full responsibility for this lapse. The staff has been reprimanded and issued a written warning,” said Ms Lee.
In addition, the hospital has “tightened” its procedures to prevent similar incidents.
Staff at the visitors’ registration counters can check on the status of critically-ill and dangerously-ill patients on the hospital’s computer systems to allow special visits.
Counter staff can also call the relevant ward to check on the patient’s status.
Ms Lee said: “Although we understand that no apology can make up for their grief and loss, we have conveyed our heartfelt apology and condolences to the family.
“My colleagues have been in touch with the family since this incident occurred.”
CGH has also apologised for misspelling the late Mr Sheun’s name in its letter of apology.
Earlier this month, The New Paper reported on a family who were unhappy about visitor limitations at CGH.
An elderly man, 80, who was suffering from kidney failure and on the dangerously ill list, was permitted only four vistors.
This was in line with the hospital’s policy.
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