Community Health Posts: beyond the clinic, closer to home

Published on 5 February 2026

Staffed by community nurses and health coaches, NUHS’s Community Health Posts support residents holistically – right in their neighbourhoods.

Let’s be honest: between work, family, and the daily grind, making a visit to the clinic can often feel like a special expedition. But what if you could skip the commute? Across Western Singapore, the National University Health System (NUHS) has brought you your care partner in the community through Community Health Posts (CHPs). These are neighbourhood spaces where residents can access personalised health coaching and chronic disease management just a few minutes from home. It’s healthcare that meets you exactly where you are.

Bridging the Gap

In recent years, while Singaporeans returned to pre-pandemic levels of physical activity, the burden of chronic diseases remained high, with the prevalence of diabetes remaining stable, and one in three Singapore residents still grappling with hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperlipidaemia (excess fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood), according to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) National Population Health Survey (NPHS) 2024.

As our population ages, a study led by researchers from NUS’ Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health projected that the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart disease would rise sharply among older adults by 2050, making consistent, accessible management more critical than ever.

Enter Community Health Posts (CHPs), which serve both as “early-warning systems” and also bridge the gap between doctor visits for residents in the West. CHPs provide the low-barrier monitoring and coaching needed to intercept these conditions in the community before they escalate into acute medical emergencies. Not only that; for many residents, managing chronic conditions goes beyond medication or monitoring numbers. It involves navigating daily routines, caregiving responsibilities, financial concerns and recovery after illness. For these challenges that surface outside the hospital setting, CHPs are here to provide the required support.

Community Health Posts – In A Nutshell

NUHS CHPs, which are placed strategically across Western Singapore, are managed by the Community Care Team (CCT). The CCT, comprising community nurses and health coaches, support residents to manage conditions, recover after hospital stays, and to continue to stay well — right in their neighbourhoods.

Since its conception in 2018, the 89 CHPs located in the West of Singapore have served more than 8,000 residents as of end 2025.

At CHPs, support is delivered through one-to-one health coaching sessions focused on:

1. Staying healthy: Building better eating habits, staying active, and keeping up with vaccinations and health screenings
2. Managing conditions: Monitoring diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol
3. Preventing falls: Learning strength exercises to improve balance
4. Getting connected: Accessing community resources and services

This care model emphasises continuity and accessibility, providing a consistent point of contact within the community, which allows care to be delivered in a way that complements, rather than replaces, existing healthcare services.

A Holistic Approach

So what does that mean for a resident living in the West who manages a chronic disease?

Ms Sam Pei Fen, Assistant Director of Nursing, Community Care, Regional Health System Office in NUHS, said, “We saw that many residents struggled most after they left the hospital, or when managing conditions day‑to‑day at home. CHPs were designed to bring nursing, coaching and care navigation directly into neighbourhoods, so support is timely, accessible, and continuous.”

For many, the period immediately following a hospital discharge is the most vulnerable. The resident may visit the CHP for transitional and post-acute care, where the CCT guides recovery at home and develops personalised care plans for the resident. This provides the critical link that prevents avoidable readmissions and ensures a smooth return to daily life.

Meanwhile, between hospital visits, the resident may receive the health coaching and clinical support needed to manage long-term conditions effectively, preventing minor issues from turning into major complications.

Based on the resident’s real-time health status, the CCT is able to calibrate its intensity with its Step-Up and Step-Down Care approach. When early warning signs appear, the CCT can step care up by linking the resident to appropriate services. As they stabilise, care is stepped down, ensuring support remains appropriate and responsive to changing needs.

Wellness Space @ Clementi Peaks – An Intergenerational Concept

While CHPs are a familiar sight in our neighborhoods, they are a core service that is surrounded by various community initiatives – and the newest addition is the Wellness Space @ Clementi Peaks. Moving beyond a senior-only focus, this newly-launched health and wellness community space adopts a unique intergenerational concept that brings seniors, adults, families and children together to strengthen social connections that support long-term health outcomes.

Located conveniently right below a housing block, the Wellness Space @ Clementi Peaks integrates healthcare services, health education, social engagement, and community-based programmes. Residents drop by not only for health check‑ins, but to speak to nurses and health coaches as well as participate in a variety of social activities. From young families attending prenatal talks to seniors seeking advice over Kopi Talk sessions, the space has become a trusted touchpoint for everyday health concerns.

By blending social anchors like a community library and board game corners with proactive health tools like a self-help wellness checkpoint, the space empowers the residents to build a healthier lifestyle together, no matter the age, proving that wellness is a shared journey.

Meet A Community Nurse

“Beyond identifying care needs, our role is centered on shared and collaborative care,” said Ms Valerie Lee, Community Nurse, NUHS, who works at the CHP at Wellness Space @ Clementi Peaks. She collaborates with the residents’ primary care physicians and allied health professionals to align care plans and ensure continuity. She added, “We also actively engage with caregivers and loved ones, providing education, guidance and practical support, so they are empowered to care for residents at home.”

Ms Lee explained that by being present within the community, community nurses stay visible, familiar and approachable – something many residents appreciate, knowing that the nurses and health coaches are just a short walk away.

A constant and familiar presence at Wellness Space @ Clementi Peaks, Ms Lee constantly encourages residents to join the intergenerational and social activities held there. She explained that these programmes help to build friendships, strengthen neighbourly support, and nurture a sense of community where people look out for one another.

“I believe that social and mental wellbeing, along with the health of the family, all contribute to the patient’s overall health. And when care shifts closer to home, it reminds us that health is built day by day, and is not just a response to sickness,” she said.

Whether you’re managing a condition, recovering from a hospital stay, or simply looking to stay well, your neighbourhood  Community Health Post is here to support you.

In consultation with Ms Sam Pei Fen, Assistant Director of Nursing, Community Care, Regional Health System Office, NUHS; and Ms Valerie Lee, Staff Nurse, Community Care, Regional Health System Office, NUHS.