Dr Ho Kok Yuen is a Singapore pain medicine specialist and anaesthesiologist who practises at The Pain Clinic at Mount Alvernia Hospital. He holds an MBBS and a Master of Medicine in Anaesthesiology from the National University of Singapore, together with a graduate diploma in palliative medicine, and completed a pain management fellowship at Duke University Hospital in the United States.
His clinical focus is minimally invasive interventional pain management for conditions including back and spinal pain, neuropathic pain, cancer pain and joint pain. He has held leadership roles in the field, including past president of The Pain Association of Singapore and chairman of the Chapter of Pain Medicine Physicians at the Academy of Medicine, Singapore.
Clinical focus
Cancer pain.
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBS, MMed (Anaes), FAMS (Anaes), GDSM, GDPM, FIPP, ESRA-DPM, EDPM.
Where they practise
- Clinic / practice: The Pain Clinic (see our clinic listing) — Mount Alvernia (Thomson)
- Hospital / training affiliation(s): Mount Alvernia Hospital
Getting to the clinic
Dr Ho Kok Yuen practises at The Pain Clinic at Mount Alvernia Hospital, off Thomson Road. Mount Alvernia is set slightly away from the train network, so a taxi or ride-hailing car is often the most convenient way to arrive, dropping you directly at the hospital entrance. If you prefer public transport, the nearest stations are along the North-South and Thomson-East Coast lines, with Novena MRT (NS20) and Marymount MRT (CC16) among the closest, and bus services run along Thomson Road from where you can connect to the hospital.
Mount Alvernia provides on-site visitor parking, with lift access to the consultation areas, which is helpful if you are driving from outside the central area or carrying scans and records. Because the hospital sits within a quieter residential and institutional area, traffic is usually lighter than in the Orchard or Novena hubs, though it is still worth allowing extra time during weekday peaks. For patients with significant pain or limited mobility, a taxi drop-off at the entrance is generally the gentlest option.
What cancer pain medicine covers
Dr Ho’s clinical focus is cancer pain, within a broader interventional practice that also addresses back and spinal pain, neuropathic pain and joint pain. Cancer-related pain can come from a tumour itself, from nerves it affects, or from the effects of treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It can be constant or intermittent, localised or widespread, and it often has a significant impact on sleep, appetite, mood and quality of life.
With training in anaesthesiology and palliative medicine and a pain fellowship at Duke University Hospital, Dr Ho uses minimally invasive interventional techniques alongside medication and supportive care. Interventional options for cancer pain may include image-guided injections and nerve-targeted procedures that aim to reduce reliance on high doses of medication and improve comfort. The aim is to control pain effectively, maintain function and dignity, and support the person through their wider cancer care, working in step with the broader medical team. Treatment is individualised and reviewed regularly as needs change.
What to expect at a consultation
A first consultation focuses on understanding your pain and its context. Dr Ho will ask where the pain is, how it behaves, what eases or worsens it, and how it affects sleep, appetite, mood and daily life. He will review your cancer diagnosis and treatment to date, and consider how the two relate.
A focused examination follows, and he may review existing scans or arrange further tests where these will change the plan. He will then explain the options, which can range from adjusting medication to image-guided injections or interventional procedures, always balanced against your overall situation and goals. You will be able to ask questions and understand the benefits and limits of each option before deciding together on a plan.
Preparing for your appointment
- Photo identification, and any referral letter or summary from your cancer team.
- Recent scans, films and reports, and relevant blood or test results.
- A full list of current medicines and supplements, including all pain medication and doses.
- A written list of symptoms and the questions most important to you and your family.
- A pain diary noting timing, severity and what helps or worsens the pain.
- Details of allergies, blood-thinning medication and previous reactions to procedures.
After your consultation and follow-up
You should leave with a clear plan and an understanding of the next steps. If procedures are recommended, the clinic will explain the timing, what is involved and any preparation. Cancer pain often needs ongoing review, so follow-up visits allow treatment to be adjusted as your needs and circumstances change, and care is usually coordinated with your oncology and palliative teams.
Keeping a record of how pain and medication are working between visits helps guide adjustments. Report any new or worsening symptoms promptly, and remember a second opinion is always your right. Seek urgent care for sudden uncontrolled pain, new weakness or numbness, signs of infection at an injection site, fever, or any rapid change in your condition.
Booking, referrals and fees
As a private specialist, Dr Ho can usually be seen without a formal referral, though a referral or summary from your cancer team aids continuity and may be needed for subsidised care elsewhere. For eligible procedures, MediSave, MediShield Life or an Integrated Shield Plan may help within set limits, while consultations are generally paid out of pocket. Confirm charges, claim eligibility and coverage directly with the clinic before proceeding.
Common questions
Can cancer pain be controlled without very high doses of medication?
Often, yes. Interventional procedures can target specific pain pathways and may help reduce reliance on high medication doses, improving comfort and alertness.
Will pain treatment interfere with my cancer therapy?
Pain care is designed to work alongside your oncology treatment. The specialist coordinates with your wider team to keep care joined up.
Is it normal for pain to change over time?
Yes. Cancer pain can change as the disease and treatment evolve, which is why regular review and adjustment of the plan are important.
Can pain management improve quality of life?
Effective pain control aims to improve sleep, appetite, mobility and overall quality of life, supporting you through your wider care.
Related guides
Sources & verification
See also: our editorial directory of pain management specialists in Singapore and our shortlist of pain management clinics.
This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.
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