Role Redesign for Speech Therapy Assistants
Care Process & Redesign
Training ＆ Education
Workforce Transformation
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National Healthcare Group
17 November 2025
The aim is to redesign the roles of Therapy Assistants (TAs) to enhance care delivery by emphasizing upskilling and clinical. The transformation aims to create a more efficient healthcare system to meet the demands of an aging population while fostering...
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 17 November 2025
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Workforce Transformation, Training ＆ Education, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Productivity, Cost Saving, Job Effectiveness, Job Redesign, Upskilling, Learning Approach, Train-The-Trainer
About this Content
Aims
The aim is to redesign the roles of Therapy Assistants (TAs) to enhance care delivery by emphasizing upskilling and clinical responsibilities through standardized training, TA-led therapy sessions, and streamlined documentation.
Background
Before mid-2022, Therapy Assistants at the Speech Therapy clinic of Tan Tock Seng Hospital handled administrative tasks, limiting clinical engagement. This led to disappointment and retention issues as TAs sought more patient interaction. Traditional methods for therapy delegation were inefficient, increasing Speech Therapists' workload.
Methods
The methodology involved identifying and categorizing clinical tasks, adopting train-the-trainer and paired training models, leveraging IT systems like EPIC, and conducting a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle.
Results
There was a reduction from 117 ST manhours to 11 ST manhours per TA, and a reduction from 3 to 1 month for independent practice training efficiency. There was a 187% growth in the monthly average of cases handled.
Conclusion
The transformation aims to create a more efficient healthcare system to meet the demands of an aging population while fostering growth among TAs.
Lessons Learnt
The importance of data-driven decision-making, continuous training and upskilling, strategic recruitment, technological integration, and creating a positive cultural shift to enhance workforce outcomes was emphasized.
Keywords
Speech Therapy, Therapy Assistants, Clinical Engagement, Upskilling, Standardized Training
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 | Speech Therapy |
Project Lead(s) | Tan Xuet Ying |
Project Member(s) | Jasmine Boo |
Connect with this contributor!
Tan Xuet Ying - Xuet_ying_tan@ttsh.com.sg
Project Attachment
852_TTSH_NHIP_2025_Role_Redesign_for_Speech_Therapy_Assistants.pdf