Taken from today's TODAY.
Patients should not get upset if they have to wait
Letter from JEFFREY LAW LEE BENG
TODAY'S Singaporeans are becoming increasingly impatient and irrational; they are fastidious about services and facilities at public polyclinics and hospitals.
During the old days, nobody dared raise a whimper about poor service, long waiting times and other bugbears because they regarded the healthcare staff and doctors as special professionals who should not be doubted or questioned. Waiting patiently for half a day then to consult the doctor was commonplace.
These days, patients tend to feel upset and obnoxious when they wait for about an hour or so before consultation time. Perhaps they are better educated and aware of their rights and expectations. Also, various avenues of filing complaints are open at all times.
Due to the vast improvement in service and amenities, our polyclinics will continue to attract more people seeking medical treatment. Waiting for a few hours is really not too much, especially when you are in air-conditioned premises with medical literature and newspapers to while away your time.
Seeing the doctor is not a daily or weekly affair; we do so as and when the need arises, sometimes in three or four months. A little patience will go a long way towards making that trip to the clinic a worthwhile one.
After all, it is common for people to wait for hours to catch a glimpse of their favourite actors or camp overnight for a National Day Parade ticket, not to mention the two-hour queue for that famous barbecued pork come Chinese New Year.
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What is wrong with this guy? Is he retarded or something? I suppose he thinks its ok to wait 3hours to see a doctor if he is suffering from high fever.
