MADAM CHENG YOOK CHAN

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Health why was there such a long delay in treating Madam Cheng Yook Chan, who was admitted to the A & E department and ward 46 of Tan Tock Seng Hospital on 20th October 1997 and who passed away the next morning.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Madam Cheng Yook Chan was triaged by the A&E specialist nurse at 4.49 pm soon after her arrival at the A&E Department of Tan Tock Seng Hospital on 20th October 1997. She had complaints of giddiness, sweating and vomiting. The A&E doctor completed his examination by 5.20 pm and the provisional diagnosis was stroke. She was kept under close observation by doctors in the A&E Department, and admitted into the ward for stroke patients at about 7.00 pm.

The ward doctor reviewed her at 7.50 pm and she was given medication for her high blood pressure. The doctor also ensured that she had a clear airway for breathing and that her blood circulation was adequate. This is the standard treatment for the acute phase of stroke.

A CT head scan was carried out around 10.30 pm after 8 other emergency cases that came in before Mdm Cheng were cleared. The scan showed that Mdm Cheng had massive intracranial bleeding and accumulation of fluid with increased pressure on the brain. The CT scan findings were explained by the neurosurgeon to the family members at around 12.30 am on 21st October 1997. They were also informed of the need for an operation to relieve the pressure on the brain.

Mdm Cheng underwent the operation a few hours later. Unfortunately, she suffered a heart attack during the operation and passed away at 5.45 am that morning.

There was no undue delay in the various stages of the management and treatment of Mdm Cheng. She had suffered a massive stroke and had a very poor prognosis. The doctors had done their best given the circumstances of the case.