~The Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU), affiliated with NTUC, will work with doctors’ co-operative GP+ and Ren Ci Hospital to address challenges faced by doctors and healthcare professionals~
As artificial intelligence (AI) adoption accelerates across industries, job disruption and skills obsolescence have become growing concerns for workers. NTUC’s Survey on Economic Sentiments in 2025 found that 47 per cent of respondents recognised the need to upskill, with close to 1 in 5 Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs) viewing automation or AI as a threat to their job security.
Highly professionalised sectors including medicine, accountancy and law are also experiencing disruption, as technology reshapes work processes and career pathways. For these professionals, adapting to change can be challenging as careers are often built on years of specialised training and structured pathways, which make transitions complex and often require reskilling within the profession.
For primary care or General Practitioner (GP) doctors, these challenges are compounded by the fact that many practise as both healthcare professionals and business owners. In addition to patient care, GP doctors must manage the operational demands of running a practice, and keep pace with evolving medical technologies and care practices. These overlapping responsibilities highlight the need for holistic support that addresses both the professional and operational challenges that GP doctors face.
Faced with these challenges, more doctors are turning to NTUC for support in navigating change and advancing their interests. NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng said, “Through our engagements, NTUC has heard directly from doctors about the pressures they face as healthcare professionals and small business owners. While the professional issues and operational concerns they have may be different, the underlying need is the same – to be supported through change and to have their interests represented. In the face of changes brought about by AI, NTUC is committed to represent and support PMEs, including doctors.”
HSEU and GP+ to support healthcare professionals in AI training and technology adoption
This commitment is reflected in NTUC’s partnerships and initiatives to support doctors and healthcare professionals. The Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU), a union affiliated with NTUC, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with doctors’ co-operative GP+ on 13 April 2026.
The MOU was signed by Dr Aziz Noordin, GP+ Chairman and representatives of the Healthcare Academy1— NTUC and HSEU President K Thanaletchimi; NTUC LearningHub CEO Jeremy Ong; and NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) Deputy Chief Executive Officer Gary Goh. The signing ceremony was witnessed by NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, HSEU Executive Secretary Steven Goh, and GP+ Advisor Dr Leong Choon Kit.
Under the MOU, HSEU will support GP doctors in their capacity as small business owners. The partnership will focus on training primary care clinic staff in areas such as AI awareness, and support GP+ member clinics in adopting new technologies and redesigning to improve productivity and efficiency through the NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) Grant. Recognising the value of union and structured workforce support, several GP+ member clinics have also formally recognised HSEU to represent their clinic staff. This allows for closer collaboration on staff training, welfare, and workplace development.
This collaboration comes after an earlier MOU between NTUC and GP+. Both parties have since worked together to identify opportunities for training and transformation for GP+ at the co-operative level, and committed to create opportunities for the professional development of GP doctors. For NTUC, this partnership reflects its broader commitment to supporting professionals in navigating industry transformation, ensuring that doctors are equipped with resources to thrive.
GP+ Chairman Dr Aziz Noordin shared his thoughts, “GP+ Co-operative, NTUC and HSEU are partnering to roll out targeted support programmes across workforce development, clinic operations, and mentorship for doctors. Through this collaboration, we hope to translate ground realities into practical support for clinics and healthcare professionals, while strengthening how care is delivered in the community.”
HSEU formally recognised as union representing healthcare professionals in Ren Ci Hospital
In a significant step forward to support healthcare professionals, HSEU was also accorded direct union recognition by Ren Ci Hospital on 20 April 2026. This allows HSEU to represent over 1,000 healthcare professionals in Ren Ci Hospital, further strengthening the union’s presence in the community care and social services sectors, and providing healthcare professionals with a stronger collective voice in the workplace.
The MOU was signed by NTUC and HSEU President K Thanaletchimi and Ren Ci CEO Yong Keng Kwang, and witnessed by NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng and Ren Ci Board Chairperson Seow Choke Meng.2
Associate Professor Yong said, “The signing of this MOU with the HSEU marks an important milestone for Ren Ci Hospital. It reflects our commitment to strengthen the foundation for mutual trust and open dialogue, working on staff well-being, fair employment practices and staff professional development. This constructive engagement underscores our belief that when we care well for our staff, they are best able to care for those we serve. We look forward to working closely with the union to build a strong and forward-looking partnership that supports our staff and Ren Ci’s mission.”
NTUC remains committed to advancing the interests of PMEs across all sectors, and progress with them towards better jobs and livelihoods. Through practical and holistic support, NTUC will continue to take action to empower workers to adapt, progress and thrive in a changing world, because Every Worker Matters.
1 The Healthcare Academy (HCA) is a collaboration between the Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU), NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) and NTUC LearningHub to support continuous learning for healthcare workers; provide employment opportunities for displaced workers from other sectors to work in the healthcare sector; and equip healthcare workers with relevant future-ready skills.
2 Other signatories and witnesses include HSEU General Secretary Simon Ong, HSEU Executive Secretary Steven Goh, Ren Ci Board Member and HR Committee Chairperson Lillian Lee and Ren Ci HR Director Nuryasmin Hannah.
