Porter on Wheels: Enhancing Well-Being, Driving Productivity
Care Process & Redesign
Organisational Leadership
Singapore Healthcare Management Congress
SingHealth
11 February 2026
Eliminate fall incidents, boost senior porters' productivity by 10% in 6 months, and enhance employee well-being and. The initiative has significantly improved porters well-being enhancing job satisfaction and motivation.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 11 February 2026
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Productivity, Cost Saving, Organisational Leadership, Human Resource, Staff Wellbeing
About this Content
Aims
Eliminate fall incidents, boost senior porters' productivity by 10% in 6 months, and enhance employee well-being and workplace satisfaction with innovative mobility solutions.
Background
Portering is vital for hospital operations, ensuring timely transport of patients and items. However, an aging workforce faces challenges, especially senior porters who navigate long distances to deliver medications. The demand for quick service increases stress and health risks.
Methods
Initiated a trial at Unit Dose Pharmacy (UDP) with selected senior porters. Implemented controlled testing in staff-only zones at UDP. Data on staff retention, safety, recruitment, and productivity was collected. Developed Personal Mobility Aid (PMA) implementation strategy. Established risk assessment protocols and licensing framework. Created training programs for safe PMA operation.
Results
13.1% productivity increase, average daily tasks improved to 48.3 up from 42.7. Annual cost reduction of $11,479.20. 100% elimination of fall incidents down from 5 reported incidents before implementation of PMA. Reduced fatigue and physical strain as porters walk less while improving productivity and efficiency.
Conclusion
The initiative has significantly improved porters well-being enhancing job satisfaction and motivation. The elimination of fall incidents has reduced absenteeism and sick leave. Improvements have resulted in time savings that allow manpower to focus on patient transfers.
Lessons Learnt
Addressed initial concerns from porters about routine changes and a desire to maintain step counts for health. Overcame challenges such as identifying PMA parking bays and managing eager porters not initially selected. Developed sustainable long-term monitoring framework.
Keywords
PMA, productivity, safety, porters, mobility solutions
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | Sengkang General Hospital |
Platform(s) | Singapore Healthcare Management Congress |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Ancillary Care |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Healthcare Administrators |
Project Lead(s) | Muhammad Asyraf Bin Jumat |
Project Member(s) | Winston Bau |
Connect with this contributor!
Singapore Healthcare Management Secretariat - singaporehealthcaremanagement@singhealth.com.sg
Project Attachment
1118_SKH_SHM_2025_Porter_on_Wheels_Enhancing_Well_Being_Driving_Productivity.pdf