Corporate Governance

Ren Ci (“the Organisation”) recognises the importance of having a well-defined corporate governance system and processes, and is fully committed to upholding high standards of transparency and accountability within the Organisation to our stakeholders.

The Board has established Sub-Committees, each chaired by a Board member to assist in the execution of its responsibilities. The eight Sub-Committees are:
 
•    Audit Committee
•    Building Committee
•    Community Engagement Committee
•    Governance & Risk Committee
•    Human Resource Committee
•    Investment Committee
•    Medical Advisory Committee
•    Nominating Committee
 
The activities of each of the Sub-Committees during the financial year are as follows:

 
Audit Committee

The Audit Committee (“AC”) held four meetings since the date of the last Director’s report and carried out the functions of an audit committee as specified in the terms of reference approved by the Board of Directors. In carrying out its functions, the AC reviewed the overall scope of both the external and internal audits and met with the auditors to discuss the results of their examinations and their evaluation of the organisation's system of internal controls. The AC also reviewed the finance policies and financial statements of the organisation.

Ren Ci has established a control self-assessment (“CSA”) framework in 2019, an initiative by the organisation to strengthen the internal control processes, create a stronger awareness of risk practices and establish a clearer line of accountability for controls.

Over the course of the last three financial years, Ren Ci has developed and completed the CSA questionnaires for key processes. The internal auditor, Ernst & Young Advisory Pte Ltd (“EY”), had developed, completed and validated questionnaires for the completed key processes and the results of the CSA validation were discussed and reported to the AC.

In addition, the AC reviewed and endorsed the Internal Audit and CSA plans for the next two financial years. This is to ensure continued validation on the adequacy of Ren Ci's internal controls, and to ensure that recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these internal controls are implemented.

 

Building Committee

The Building Committee (“BC”) reviewed and endorsed the following projects, with further guidance in several aspects on project planning and implementation:
 
•    Automated Building Access Control for Ren Ci Community Hospital
•    Autonomous Mobile Robot deployment at Ren Ci @ Ang Mo Kio
•    Multi-Disciplinary Consultancy Services for Addition & Alteration Works at Ren Ci Community Hospital
•    Kitchen Equipment Setup and On-Premise Kitchen Operations for Ren Ci @ Woodlands
 
The Committee also provided guidance on the installation of solar panels at Ren Ci Community Hospital, the first initiative of the organisation in support of the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

 
Community Engagement Committee

The Community Engagement Committee (“CEC”) oversees fundraising, volunteer management and corporate communication functions. The Committee provided oversight of the various fundraising initiatives, development of volunteers and reviewed key corporate collaterals such as the annual report, as well as ensured the existing policies in the area of fundraising, volunteer development and corporate communications remain relevant. In the new normal of endemic living, the Committee also participated in dialogue sessions and events to better engage our various stakeholders.

 
Governance & Risk Committee
 
At its yearly meeting, the Governance & Risk Committee (“GRC”) discussed and provided guidance on the review of the Ren Ci 2023 Risk Register to ensure that Ren Ci’s operations remain sustainable and that there is business continuity.

In the same year, the GRC endorsed the Governance Statement and the online Governance Evaluation Checklist (GEC) submitted to the Charity Portal for which all areas in the checklist were met. When the Charity Council reviewed the Code of Governance for Charities and IPCs and called for feedback from the sector, the GRC also provided advice and suggestions regarding the proposed simplified code, which were subsequently submitted for the Charity Council’s consideration.

 
Human Resource Committee
 
The Human Resource Committee (“HRC”) supported a series of human resource policy reviews and initiatives consistent with the best practices in the sector. In its commitment to provide and maintain a work environment that is safe from harassment, the Committee introduced a new policy for Workplace Harassment keeping up with the HR best practices and Tripartite Guidelines. Housing and night duty allowances were also reviewed. In line with MOM’s Tripartite Statement of Flexible Work Arrangements, the Committee implemented a Work-from-Home arrangement for staff. In addition, the Gifts and Cash declaration policy was reviewed to provide greater clarity on how to deal appropriately with gifts, tips and other forms of monetary awards received by staff so that Ren Ci continues to uphold personal and organisational integrity.

Ren Ci’s digital transformation journey crossed an important milestone with the launch of a new HR system that will integrate different sources of data, and allow greater flexibility and scalability to bring about a seamless experience across different work processes and functions. The automation of the core HR functions and processes will result in an estimated annual savings of $270,000 based on increased operational efficiency.

As part of leadership development, the HR committee continues to review Management’s update on the Succession Planning a

 
Investment Committee

Against a challenging investment cycle, the Investment Committee (“IC”) met more frequently compared to previous years, to review the performance of fund managers and to ensure the investment portfolios meet the overall investment objectives and guidelines of the organisation as set by the Board.

During the year, the Committee continued to explore options available to reduce risks, particularly given the turbulent market conditions, and to protect the investment portfolio. The Committee will continue to provide guidance and feedback on matters relating to investments and investment policies to the Board.

 
Medical Advisory Committee
 
The Medical Advisory Committee reviewed the organisation’s response to COVID-19 and controls adopted as Singapore exited the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and established an endemic COVID-19 new norm. The Committee also reviewed and provided guidance on the improvement of services

 
Nominating Committee
 
As part of good governance and in alignment with the Charity Transparency Framework, the Nominating Committee complies with the Board renewal and Performance Evaluation policy which includes:
 
•    Nomination and renewal of Board every 2 years,
•    Board skills matrix as part of succession planning,
•    Orientation and induction within 2 months of joining for new Board members, and
•    Annual Board Self-Assessment exercise to gauge the effectiveness of the Board’s performance. The assessment results were discussed at the subsequent Board meeting to identify areas of improvement.

 
Working Committees
 
From time to time, the Board establishes Working Committees to provide further guidance and oversight in specific areas. There are currently four Working Committees, the IT Steering Committee, Tender Committee, Facility Medifund Committee, and Ren Ci Assistance Scheme.

The IT Steering Committee guides the development of IT strategy and architecture to improve security, productivity and optimise cost. The Tender Committee guides and endorses RFP recommendations for scopes of work that are not covered by other Board sub-committees, including guidance on procurement matters. The IT Steering Committee and Tender Committee met four times and thrice respectively during the year to discuss key projects such as NGEMR implementation and the procurement of organisation-wide services.

The Facility Medifund Committee which oversees the Government Medifund and Medifund Silver Assistance schemes for Ren Ci beneficiaries, met twice last year. The Ren Ci Assistance Scheme Committee meets annually to give guidance on the support rendered to beneficiaries who require additional assistance on top of existing subsidy schemes.
 

 

Ren Ci submitted a declaration of its extent of compliance with the Code of Governance for Charities and IPCs (2017) (“the Code”) via the charity portal in July 2022.

The Governance & Risk Committee is pleased to report that the organisation and Board have complied with the guidelines of the Code. The level of compliance by the organisation can be viewed at www.charities.gov.sg

The Board also conducts annual self-evaluation to assess its performance and effectiveness.

 

Since 2008, the Board has put in place a policy where all members of the Board, Sub-Committees, staff or volunteers (collectively the “Members”), when acting on behalf of Ren Ci, must ensure that the deliberations and decisions made, including transactions, are in the interest of the organisation.

All Members shall promptly and fully disclose, in accordance with the procedures laid down by the organisation, all interests (actual or potential) which could conflict with their duties and shall not in any way be involved in the transaction, or influence the outcome of the transaction.

 

Since 2012, Ren Ci has in place a Code of Business Conduct that is applicable to all members of the Board, Sub-Committees, staff or volunteers (collectively the “Members”). The code requires Members to observe high standards of professional, personal ethics and integrity.  It sets out guiding principles and desired behaviours that Members are expected to abide by in situations, such as when representing Ren Ci, using Ren Ci’s resources or communicating with external parties on behalf of Ren Ci. Violation of the code may result in disciplinary action such as termination of employment or appointment or even civil legal action.

 

Ren Ci also has in place, a Whistleblowing policy since 2008. To develop a culture of accountability and transparency, this policy addresses the organisation’s commitment to ethical behaviour where employees and external parties such as volunteers and contractors are encouraged to report concerns of misconducts without fear of reprisal or unfair treatment. Ren Ci aims to establish:
 
•    Reliable and safe channels for Ren Ci’s internal and external stakeholders to report concerns or suspected concerns,
•    Structure to ensure fair investigations of reports, and
•    Arrangements to support learnings and continuous improvements to achieve strong governance.
 
The policy encourages the whistleblowers to identify themselves but allows for anonymous complaints. It makes available the contact of the Audit Committee Chairman and the Board Chairman by the following channels:
 
•    Audit Committee Chairman’s email at whistleblow@renci.org.sg
•    Board Chairman’s email at boardchair@renci.org.sg
•    Sealed report in an envelope marked ‘Private & Confidential’ and mail to:
 
Chairman, <Audit Committee or Board>
c/o Ren Ci Hospital
71 Irrawaddy Road
Singapore 329562

The Audit Committee has the authority and responsibility to commission and review investigations and their findings of the complaints, with the full co-operation of management and use of other resources, where necessary.

 

The reserves of the organisation provide financial stability and serve to meet future increases in healthcare operating expenses.

The current year’s reserves of $176m is estimated to be adequate to fund about 2.1 years of annual operating expenses, basing on operating expenses in the financial year ended 31 Mar 2023.

The Board of Directors reviews the level of reserves regularly for the organisation’s continuing obligations.

Part of the reserves is placed with financial institutions and is managed in accordance with the organisation’s investment policy which is approved by the Board. This helps to preserve the purchasing power of the funds while ensuring sufficient liquidity for operational contingencies.

 

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