FlexWell: Improving Staff Well-being Through Flexible Work Arrangements
Organisational Leadership
Workforce Transformation
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National Healthcare Group
17 November 2025
To develop a sustainable work schedule that enhances staff satisfaction and well-being while maintaining high-quality. The success of the FlexWell initiatives demonstrated that adoption of FWA for a 24-hour hospital service is feasible in acute hospital.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 17 November 2025
Tags: Workforce Transformation, Organisational Leadership, Human Resource, Staff Wellbeing, Job Redesign, Workforce Sustainability, Workforce Performance, Workforce Productivity
About this Content
Aims
To develop a sustainable work schedule that enhances staff satisfaction and well-being while maintaining high-quality patient care and meeting operational needs
Background
In Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), physiotherapists provide round-the-clock services. Traditionally, they followed a fixed work schedule, leading to dissatisfaction due to frequent weekend and night work, inflexible hours, inadequate rest, and lack of recognition. Efforts from 2017-2019 had limited success, and Covid-19 accelerated the shift toward flexible work arrangements.
Methods
The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) method was utilized for evaluation of interventions. The team brainstormed interventions to promote flexibility in weekend/PH and night work separately. After each intervention trial, surveys were conducted to gather feedback and department data were reviewed to evaluate effectiveness.
Results
The new work arrangements significantly reduced physiotherapists weekend/PH and night work, providing greater flexibility in hours, dates, and off days. This contributed to greater staff satisfaction and well-being
Conclusion
The success of the FlexWell initiatives demonstrated that adoption of FWA for a 24-hour hospital service is feasible in acute hospital settings and could drive national change
Lessons Learnt
Implementing FWA for a 24-hour hospital service is complex and requires careful planning to balance workforce needs with continuous patient care. Close collaboration with HR was essential for the implementation and success of interventions.
Keywords
physiotherapists, flexible work, staff satisfaction, work-life balance, patient care
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Tan Tock Seng Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Allied Health |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Rehabilitation Therapy, Physiotherapy |
Project Lead(s) | Abigail Chan |
Project Member(s) | Tan Phui Khuun |
Connect with this contributor!
Abigail Chan - abigail_hy_chan@ttsh.com.sg
Project Attachment
851_TTSH_NHIP_2025_FlexWell_Improving_Staff_Well_being_Through_Flexible_Work_Arrangements.pdf