| 1928 |
A new Mental Hospital comprising the main buildings with 24 wards was constructed. The ‘New Lunatic Asylum’ at Sepoy Lines and the ward at Pasir Panjang were closed down and a total of 1030 patients were transferred to ‘The Mental Hospital’.
Dr E.R.Stone, medical superintendent from 1928 to 1934, introduced farm work in 1928. |
| 1931 |
Malaria treatment was used to treat General Paralysis of the Insane (GPI). |
| 1935 |
Dr B.F. Home was medical superintendent from 1935 to 1950. A new Mental Disorders and Treatment Ordinance was introduced in 1935. The term ‘lunatic’ was changed to ‘person of unsound mind’. Doctors were given the power to admit patients and voluntary treatment was allowed.
Two more wards were added in 1935. |
| 1942 |
About 500 mental patients were transferred to St John’s Island before Singapore surrendered to the Japanese forces. After Singapore’s surrender 800 civilian casualties were transferred to the Mental Hospital, which was transformed into the Japanese Civilian and Military Hospital. |
| 1945 |
After the Japanese surrender the female section was converted into the RAF Hospital while the male section the Japanese Prisoners of War Hospital. |
| 1946 |
The Mental Hospital was returned to its original function to house 440 mental patients. |
| 1947 |
Dr B.F. Home introduced electroconvulsive therapy. |
| 1948 |
Dr B.F. Home introduced Insulin Coma Treatment.
The Dental Clinic and Laboratory Services were started. |
| 1950 |
Dr J. Browne was medical superintendent from 1950 to 1958. Histamine Shock Treatment was tried out in 1950. |
| 1951 |
The Mental Hospital was renamed Woodbridge Hospital.
Final year medical students attended a course of instruction in mental diseases.
The X-Ray unit was installed. |
| 1952 |
A further revision of the Mental Disorders and Treatment Ordinance, Temporary Treatment was introduced.
With the improvement of accommodation and treatment facilities since 1949, the realization of the need for modern methods of treatment began to express itself by 1952. |
| 1953 |
Carbon dioxide therapy and pre-frontal leucotomy were carried out. Woodbridge Hospital was recognised for the Conjoint Diploma in Psychological Medicine.
Psychiatric Outpatient Services were started at Singapore General Hospital. |
| 1954 |
Psychiatric School of Nursing was set up.
Penicillin was used for the treatment of neurosyphilis.
The year also saw the construction of four new blocks of two-storey buildings (which became the Chronic Sick Unit premises subsequently) and one new block (Green Groves). |
| 1955 |
Two new departments (Psychiatric Social Work and Occupational Therapy) were formed.
The antipsychotics Rauwolfia and Chlorpromazine were introduced. |
| 1956 |
Psychological services were started.
A new three-storey Nurse Hostel was built. |
| 1957 |
The Mental Disorders and Treatment Ordinance was amended to allow the police to take a person directly to Woodbridge Hospital.
Outpatient clinics were started at Bukit Timah, Paya Lebar and Kallang Dispensaries.
Dr Wong Yip Chong, qualifying in psychiatry, became the first Singaporean psychiatrist. |
| 1958 |
Dr E.C. Winslow was Medical Superintendent (Acting) and Dr Burton Bradley was Medical Superintendent (on contract).
The antidepressants isocarboxazide and imipramine were introduced. |
| 1959 |
An anti-anxiety drug chlordiazepoxide was introduced.
The psychiatrists of Woodbridge Hospital worked in two units. |
| 1960 |
Dr Yap Meow Foo became the first local Medical Superintendent. |
| 1965 |
A rehabilitation committee was formed. |
| 1967 |
There were three clinical units at Woodbridge Hospital.
Outpatient Clinics at Maxwell and Queenstown Dispensaries were opened.
Ten house in Trafalgar Hospital were transferred to Woodbridge Hospital and used to house long-stay patients. |
| 1970 |
A part-time Child Guidance Clinic was started at Woodbridge Hospital. |
| 1971 |
Dr Tsoi Wing Foo became medical superintendent of Woodbridge Hospital.
A part-time Child Guidance Clinic was started at Singapore General Hospital. |
| 1972 |
The Child Psychiatric Clinic became a full-time department.
The first psychiatric day centre in Singapore was opened. |
| 1973 |
Thirty units of Attendants’ Staff Quarters were transferred to Woodbridge Hospital and used as Rehabilitation Farm Quarters.
The drug lithium was first used to treat manic depressive illness. Modecate, a long acting neuroleptic, was used for the treatment of schizophrenia.
The Mental Disorders and Treatment Act was amended to allow patients to be admitted to Woodbridge Hospital without any formality. |
| 1974 |
The year saw the integration of the male and female nursing sections. The Changi Prison Psychiatric Hospital was opened, with a 20-bed ward for the observation of forensic patients. |
| 1975 |
The first batch of 35 patients set foot in View Road Hospital, a psychiatric facility with 250 beds for the rehabilitation of patients with chronic schizophrenia.
Ward 21 of Woodbridge Hospital was converted into a new Psychiatric Outpatient Department while Ward 23 became a medical ward.
The Child Psychiatric Clinic at Outram Road General Hospital was relocated to Russels Road, Alexandra Park. |
| 1976 |
The year saw the integration of the male and female sections of the Occupational Therapy Department. |
| 1977 |
A total of 30 annexes were added to 30 wards in Woodbridge Hopsital. The 13 houses borrowed from Trafalgar Hospital to house long stay patients were returned. |
| 1978 |
Woodbridge Hospital celebrated its 50th anniversary. |
| 1979 |
Dr Tsoi Wing Foo was seconded from Woodbridge Hospital to the university of Singapore to head the Department of Psychological Medicine.
The year saw the inauguration of the psychiatric nurse practitioners scheme to help with the increasing attendance at the outpatient clinics. |
| 1980 |
Fifteen of the vacant huts at Trafalgar Hospital were renovated to provide accommodation for 200 patients of Woodbridge Hospital.
The Child Psychiatric Clinic moved to the Institute of Health in Outram Road.
Dr Teo Seng Hock was appointed Medical Director of Woodbridge Hospital. |
| 1982 |
Woodbridge Hospital started to provide specialist training which leads to a Master of Medicine (Psychiatry) degree from the National University of Singapore. |
| 1984 |
The proposal for a new psychiatric hospital was mooted by the Ministry of Health. |
| 1985 |
The Department of Psychological Medicine was opened in the National University Hospital. |
| 1986 |
A self-contained Psychological Medicine Unit was inaugurated at Ward 13 of Tan Tock Seng Hospital. |
| 1988 |
A Community Psychiatric Nursing (CPN) service was established.
An evening clinic was started at Woodbridge Hospital. |
| 1989 |
The domestic training ward was renamed the Casuarina Rehabilitation Unit, a name that brought to mind the ecological phenomenon on the beaches of Singapore. |
| 1990 |
The first Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Clinic was started at Tampines Clinic.
The Alcohol Dependency Clinic and Alcohol Treatment Program were started in May 1990 at Alexandra and Mandalay Day Centres, respectively. |
| 1993 |
In April 1993, Woodbridge Hospital shifted from its Yio Chu Kang premises to the new buildings at Hougang, thus ushering a new era in psychiatric care. The hospital occupies 45 hectares of land of which 30 hectares have been developed. To facilitate the efficient operation and implementation of the National Mental Health Programme, Woodbridge Hospital was re-organised and an Institute of Mental Health established. Dr Luisa Lee was appointed the first Chief Executive Officer of Woodbridge Hospital and the Institute of Mental Health in April 1993. |
| 1994 |
The first Woodbridge Hospital and Institute of Mental Health Annual Scientific Meeting was held in October 1994 with the theme ‘Bridging Mind and Body’. It marked the first anniversary of the move of the hospital, and provided a forum for the presentation of research findings.
The Institute of Mental Health also organised the first Emergency Behaviour Officers (EBO) course in Singapore in conjunction with the Ministry of Home Affairs. This aimed to train officers from the public sector and uniformed organisations in rendering psychological support and assistance in disaster situations. |
| 1995 |
A pilot Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit (IPCU) for patients requiring intensive psychiatric care was started in September 1995.
A psychiatric clinic was opened at the Geylang Polyclinic in November 1995.
The 2nd IMH Annual Scientific Meeting was held at the Marina Mandarin on 15 October 1995. The theme ‘Psychiatry Today’ emphasises the need to keep abreast with recent advances in psychiatry. |
| 1996 |
Dr Ang Ah Ling took over as Medical Director from 1 June 1996 vice A/Prof Teo Seng Hock who has been Medical Director since 1979. The clinical departments were reorganised on 1 September 1996 to the Departments of Adult Psychiatry 1, 2 and 3, Geriatric Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Staff of the clinical support departments were also assigned to the psychiatry departments to facilitate teamwork, communication and co-ordination.
The theme for the 3rd IMH Annual Scientific Meeting was ‘The Art and Science of Psychiatry’. |
| 1997 |
Dr Daniel Leong joined Woodbridge Hospital as Chief Executive Officer on 1 July 1997.
The 4th Annual Scientific Meeting was held on 5 October 1997 at the Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Suntec City. The theme for this year’s meeting was ‘New Frontiers in Psychiatry’. |
| 1998 |
This was a year of consolidation for the Hospital as preparations were made for the implementation of a new computerised Patient Administration System for outpatient and inpatient services, and the certification of the hospital for ISO 9002 Quality Management System in the provision of mental health care.
The Child Guidance Clinic (formerly known as the Child Psychiatric Clinic at Outram Road) moved to its new premises at the Institute of Health in March 1998. Two new clinics – the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Clinic and the Child Abuse Clinic – were introduced.
Woodbridge Hospital held its 5th Annual Scientific Meeting on 11 Oct 1998. The theme ‘Interfaces in Psychiatry’ was chosen to highlight the close relationship between psychiatry and other disciplines.
Professor Gordon Parker, Head of the School of psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Australia, was appointed as the Research Director of the Institute of Mental Health in June 1998. |
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Professor Kua Ee Heok assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer on 1 March 2000 and Medical Director on 1 July 2000.
The Behavioural Medicine Clinic was started at the Institute of Health (subsequently renamed Health Promotion Board) to provide administrative support for Stress and Anxiety Disorders Clinic, Mood Disorders Clinic, Sleep Clinic, Psychotherapy Clinic and Weight Management Clinic.
Woodbridge Hospital & Institute of Mental Health celebrated its new beginning as a restructured organisation under the wing of western cluster, National Healthcare Group on 1 October 2000. To commemorate the new birth, 20 new trees were planted to symbolise the renewal and perpetual growth of the institution.
Started in October 2000, the Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP) serves to reduce the deterioration after the initial psychotic symptoms have manifested.
The Living Room, a cafeteria, was created by the Occupational Therapy Department to facilitate rehabilitative activities for our patients in a socially pleasant and friendly environment. |
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The “Mind Your Mind” Programme, a five-year Public Education programme, in collaboration with the Health Promotion Board came into being. The focus in 2001 is on Stress Management.
The IMH Stress Management Programme (ISMP) was embarked upon to serve the interests of our corporate clients. Through a series of specially-designed talks, employees are equipped with a range of effective strategies to cope with the stresses of work and life in general.
Community Addiction Management Programme (CAMP) was officially launched on 21st April 2001. It serves to provide treatment for individuals with various addictions, including substance and non-substance addictions (e.g., compulsive gambling, sex addiction, and Internet addiction).
Set up in August 2001, the Department of Academic Psychiatry brings together the following 4 divisions: Training, Research, Mental Health Education and Psychotherapy.
The IMH 6th Annual Scientific Meeting and 1st National Psychotherapy Conference were held at Institute of Mental Health from 6 to 7 October 2001. The theme ‘Bridging Research and Service’ encapsulates the need to do basic and clinical research and to promote research amongst mental health professionals. The event was well attended by mental health professionals from various hospitals and institutions in Singapore, and delegates from China, Hong Kong, Japan and Malaysia. |
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The “Mind Your Mind” focus for the year was Destigmatisation of Mental Illness.
In March 2002, IMH was awarded the Singapore Quality Class.
In July 2002, Mr Leong Yew Meng took over the reins as CEO and Prof Wong Kim Eng assumed the post of Chairman of the Medical Board.
Towards end July 2002, the search for a corporate tagline came into place.
The new Specialist Outpatient Clinic A started functioning on the 2 September 2002. This clinic provides psychiatry services to private patients. Seen in a private and conducive environment, patients have an excellent choice of selection of psychiatric care.
On Nurses Day, celebrated on 1 August 2002, all nurses at the hospital received a rose each in recognition of their caring for the beautiful minds of our patients with their loving hearts.
Minister of State (Health & Environment), Dr Balaji Sadasivan visited IMH on the 4th September and graced a tree planting ceremony on our premises.
A fund raising unit was set up in September following which the Endowment Fund was awakened. From a humble start of $4,559 (audited as at 31 December 2001), donations started coming in, with contributions from road shows and the public.
On 9th October 2002, the hospital celebrated World Mental Health Day with a concert performance by a patient. Corporate tagline “Loving Hearts, Beautiful Minds” was officially launched.
The first patients outing to the zoo was held on the 4 October 2003. A total of 30 patients along with 15 other staff volunteers went for this first trip. It was a success and the patients enjoyed themselves thoroughly. A series of outings for the patients to various places of interest in Singapore has been planned for the year of 2003.
On October 17 2002, patients were treated to a dog show performance at Lecture Hall.
A total number of 300 long stay patients were decanted to Pelangi Village for the year of 2002.
1st ever Patients Year End Dinner was held on 27 December 2002 at multi-purpose hall. |
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Staff shared Chinese Lunar New Year greetings with the patients in the wards. Mr Tan Tee How, CEO NHG, was invited as Guest of Honor to give oranges and red packets to the patients who were all smiles when they received the oranges and red packets. Patients were also treated to a lion dance performance.
The launch of book; Delusions, Possessions or Imaginations. Experiencing and Recovering From Psychosis by Early Psychosis Intervention Program was held at Singapore Art Museum on 8th February 2003. The book was published with the aim of educating people who suffer from psychosis, and for those who live or work with someone with the illness.
In February 2003, IMH organise its 75th Anniversary Psychiatric Conference and 2nd National Psychotherapy Conference. The theme of the conference was “The Art and Science of Psychiatry” hopes to combine the scientific progress in psychiatry with the art of healing in psychiatric disorders. In addition to our local faculty, an international panel of speakers from USA, UK and Australia was gathered for this conference. More than 250 delegates from countries in Asia Pacific Rim participated.
Discussion for Woodbridge Hospital to be marked as a historic institution by the National Heritage Board on 8th October 2003.
On 16th April, IMH will have its inaugural charity golf tournament to be held at Raffles Country Club Lake Course with Minister of State (Community Development & Sports), Mr Chan Soo Sen as Guest of Honor. |
