SOME 30 Singapore Airlines cabin crew are being reassigned to care for patients at the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, beginning next week, The Straits Times reported.

With the coronavirus outbreak forcing the cancellation of many flights, the crew members are at this juncture grounded, and instead of serving passengers on a plane, they will now be “care ambassadors” at the hospital, located in Yishun.

The report says they will be placed in low-risk wards, and will support hospital care teams to undertake basic caregiving, nutritional care, as well as patient service management.

Among the illnesses being treated in these wards are chronic diseases, heart disorders and acute surgical conditions.

The daily reported the cabin crew today underwent medical screening, vaccination and a hospital orientation.

In the coming days, they will be trained in basic medical terms, how to monitor vital signs, and oral feeding. They will also be taught how to position, turn and ambulate a patient.

During the three-month stint, they will also be serving meals to patients.

The report also said the cabin crew will undergo training on safety and infection control measures. While they will be required to wear a mask, as with other hospital staff, they will have no direct contact with Covid-19 patients.

The crew will work nine-hour day and night shifts at the hospital, five days a week.

The crew is the first batch being deployed to hospitals. – April 7, 2020.