LC Nursing Home faces licence revocation after MOH audit uncovers systemic care and safety failures

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) will revoke the licence of LC Nursing Home in Siglap after audits found “serious and systemic” lapses in care and safety, making it the second nursing home in Singapore to face such regulatory action this month.

The licence revocation will take effect on 23 November 2026, allowing time for the transfer of the nursing home’s 78 current residents to other facilities.

MOH said on 29 June 2026 that it had deployed an interim care team to LC Nursing Home to safeguard residents during the transition period.

The interim care team from Vanguard Healthcare Pte Ltd will ensure residents continue receiving appropriate care while arrangements are made for their relocation.

LC Nursing Home currently holds a licence to operate a 93-bed facility at Jalan Ulu Siglap.

MOH said the decision followed multiple audits that found persistent non-compliance with requirements under the Healthcare Services Act 2020 (HCSA).

Audits found repeated care and safety failures

Audits conducted in November and December 2025 identified serious lapses at LC Nursing Home.

MOH said the nursing home was given an opportunity to address the issues, while the ministry imposed stricter and closer monitoring before deciding whether further regulatory action was required.

However, a further audit in April 2026 found that LC Nursing Home had not fully implemented corrective measures or sustained earlier improvements.

The audit also uncovered new and repeated breaches involving clinical care, basic resident care, infection prevention and environmental safety.

Among the clinical and nursing care issues identified were failures to conduct appropriate reviews or monitoring for residents in areas including falls, restraint practices and pressure injuries.

The nursing home also failed to comply with wound care protocols, while medication management issues included poorly maintained medication stock, medication errors and the administration of medication by care staff without suitable credentials.

MOH also found failures in basic care standards, including non-compliance with food hygiene practices and unsafe food preparation processes for residents.

In infection prevention and control, auditors found failures to implement required measures, maintain environmental hygiene and ensure effective pest control.

The audit further identified poor infrastructure and environmental maintenance, with multiple hazards posing injury risks to both residents and staff.

Nursing home acknowledged findings but remediation plan lacked assurance

MOH issued a notice to LC Nursing Home on 2 June 2026 informing the operator of the intended licence revocation.

The notice outlined key areas of non-compliance and provided the nursing home with 14 days to submit representations.

MOH received LC Nursing Home’s written representations on 16 June 2026.

The ministry said the nursing home did not provide explanations to refute the findings and instead acknowledged the identified non-compliances.

“While LC Nursing Home assured MOH that they would take remedial actions to address the findings, the plan provided by LC Nursing Home was very brief, without clear milestones set, and did not provide sufficient assurance,” MOH said.

After reviewing the representations and the findings from the April 2026 audit, MOH assessed that LC Nursing Home was unable to continue providing nursing home services safely.

Residents to be transferred to other nursing homes

MOH said Vanguard Healthcare Pte Ltd and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) will inform affected residents and their next-of-kin about the licence revocation.

The organisations will prioritise arrangements for residents to be transferred to other nursing homes.

MOH said it will work closely with LC Nursing Home and Vanguard Healthcare to monitor the transition and ensure the transfer process is safe and smooth.

The ministry added that Vanguard Healthcare will adopt a similar approach to its management of Windsor Convalescent Home, another nursing home facing licence revocation.

At Windsor Convalescent Home, Vanguard Healthcare is managing the transfer of 25 residents.

A spokesperson said some residents had been matched to Vanguard Care Homes based on their care needs, preferences and bed availability.

LC Nursing Home announces closure after nearly three decades

In a Facebook post, LC Nursing Home announced that it would close after almost three decades of operations.

“Our owners have made the decision to retire from nursing home operations,” the nursing home said.

It added that the freehold site at 2 and 4 Jalan Ulu Siglap was being sold.

According to its website, LC Nursing Home operates under “one of the lowest pricing models for private nursing homes” in Singapore and accepts government-subsidised residents.

The facility provides residential services including palliative and end-of-life care, supported by 24/7 nursing services.

Its founder and chief executive officer, Dr Chia Yang Pong, also operates a hospital in Batam and a nursing home in Johor Bahru, according to the nursing home’s website.

MOH expands nursing home monitoring after second licence action

The audit of LC Nursing Home was part of MOH’s review of selected nursing homes with identified areas for improvement, including infection prevention and control practices and basic custodial and nursing care.

The ministry said it takes a serious view of the findings involving both LC Nursing Home and Windsor Convalescent Home.

Windsor Convalescent Home, a 45-bed nursing home in Pasir Panjang, was also found to have fallen short in resident safety, clinical care and infection control practices.

Its licence will be revoked from 30 October 2026.

“The decision to revoke both nursing homes’ licences was taken only after careful assessment that they could not provide adequate nursing home services, and that resident well-being and safety had to be prioritised and safeguarded,” MOH said.

The ministry added that it would not hesitate to take regulatory action if licensees or key appointment holders failed to meet requirements for safe, adequate and appropriate care.

MOH said it would work with Vanguard Healthcare to ensure no new residents are admitted to either nursing home before the respective licence revocation dates.

The ministry also intends to share audit findings with the nursing home sector and work with AIC to strengthen available support.

This includes training programmes to equip nursing homes with the skills needed to meet required care standards.

“Licensees are reminded to comply with the HCSA, the applicable regulations, and conditions of their licences at all times,” MOH said.

“MOH will continue to monitor all nursing homes to ensure compliance with HCSA requirements.”