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From September 2024, all new and in-service nurses working in the public healthcare institutions can receive a total payout of up to S$100,000 over the next 20 years of their career.
In efforts to attract and encourage nurses to build a lifelong career in nursing, Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) has introduced the Award for Nurses' Grace, Excellence and Loyalty (ANGEL) scheme — a long-term retention scheme for nurses working in the public healthcare system.
From September 2024, all new and in-service nurses working in the public healthcare institutions (PHIs) can receive a total payout of up to S$100,000 over the next 20 years of their career under the ANGEL scheme. Starting from the time they onboard onto the scheme, newly recruited nurses and nurses aged below 46 years old will receive payouts every four to six years, with each payout ranging from S$20,000 to S$30,000.
Per the MOH statement: "The majority of nurses serving in public healthcare join the profession at a young age, and will be able to enjoy the full benefits of ANGEL if they stay on to pursue a career in nursing."
Eligibility also extends to foreign nurses who have been in continuous service for at least four years and demonstrate their commitment to Singapore’s public healthcare system.
Meanwhile, in-service nurses aged 46 years and above who do not have a sufficient career runway to reach the four milestones before retirement age will receive a one-off recognition payout of S$5,000 to S$15,000, subject to their years of service and if they have been in service for at least five years. Subsequently, their payouts will be on an accelerated schedule, where they will receive payouts every third year.
To note, the maximum payout per nurse is up to S$100,000 or when they reach the prevailing retirement age — whichever is sooner. Eligible nurses on post-retirement contracts will also receive the one-off recognition payout if they have at least five years in-service.
As announced by Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung, the ANGEL Scheme will also invite the participation of publicly funded community care organisations (CCOs), as well as social service agencies funded by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). MOH, the Agency for Integrated Care and MSF will be engaging the operators on their participation.
"With the introduction of ANGEL, we hope to encourage nurses to stay and continue to contribute to the public healthcare system, as well as to attract more to take up nursing as a career."
A total of 29,000 nurses stand to benefit from the ANGEL scheme; this is roughly made up of 24,000 nurses from the PHIs, and about 5,000 nurses from publicly funded CCOs or SSAs if there is full participation from their employers.
Acknowledging the increasing demand for healthcare services and manpower as Singapore's population ages, MOH affirmed its commitment to building up the nursing workforce to meet Singapore's future needs by:
- improving the attractiveness of the nursing profession,
- growing the local nursing training pipelines for both fresh graduates and mid-career entrants, and
- recruiting foreign nurses to augment our local core.
Beyond renumeration and awards, MOH currently has in place other attraction and retention measures for healthcare workers in general, such as supporting mid-career entrants, providing career development and progression, and ensuring a conducive work environment through the prevention of abuse and harassment of healthcare workers.
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Lead image / Ministry of Health Facebook
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