Heavy workload led to longer waiting times
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Mar 31, 2011 - ST Forum
WE ARE sorry about Mr Thomas Lim's experience ('Glacial pace: Such service standards are unacceptable at Singapore's most established hospital'; Monday).
On the morning of March 22, the Ear, Nose and Throat Centre experienced an exceptionally heavy workload and despite additional staff being deployed, registrations took longer than usual.
Consultation times can range from a few minutes to more than half an hour, depending on the complexity of the case. When a case takes longer than usual, other patients in the queue invariably end up waiting longer. Furthermore, Mr Lim's doctor had to perform a procedure for one of the patients, which resulted in longer waiting times for those in the queue.
Patients' access to care, which includes their follow-ups by specialists in a timely manner, is a priority to us. So we do, as a norm, schedule more appointments to buffer any 'no-shows' by patients.
Our staff have since contacted Mr Lim to arrange another appointment.
Yeo Han Seng
Assistant Director
Specialist Outpatient Clinics
Singapore General Hospital -
what does that say about our hospitals?
did they become "more efficient"?
if there was (touch wood) a disaster like maybe a building collapsing? would our hospitals be able to handle the excess load?
the hospitals seem to be at the edge of capacity... which is scary and dangerous in any situation...
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Originally posted by the Bear:
what does that say about our hospitals?
did they become "more efficient"?
if there was (touch wood) a disaster like maybe a building collapsing? would our hospitals be able to handle the excess load?
the hospitals seem to be at the edge of capacity... which is scary and dangerous in any situation...
There is more than just building hospitals, need all the doctors, nurses and staff etc.
It's a vicious cycle of more and more but quality going down and down.
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Originally posted by the Bear:
what does that say about our hospitals?
did they become "more efficient"?
if there was (touch wood) a disaster like maybe a building collapsing? would our hospitals be able to handle the excess load?
the hospitals seem to be at the edge of capacity... which is scary and dangerous in any situation...
Well, it is not the A&E. I would be appalled to see ppl queuing for A&E.
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Last Tue I brought my kid to AnE, from 2pm till 5pm.
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Originally posted by likeyou:
Last Tue I brought my kid to AnE, from 2pm till 5pm.
better go to GP then.
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Originally posted by Clivebenss:
better go to GP then.
GP dont have the facilities such as xray taken on the spot. -
Originally posted by likeyou:
GP dont have the facilities such as xray taken on the spot.then bo pian lor.
wait loong loong..
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Originally posted by Clivebenss:
then bo pian lor.
wait loong loong..
AnE is ok, the worst is you go to any polyclinic....everything is slow motion. -
average waiting time in A&E is 3 hours (for non-emergency)
seats not enough.
even if u have appt at medical centres/clinics, u still gotta wait at least an hour or 2
and wat do i usually do while waiting (and cursing)?
ban ppl in sgf. -
Originally posted by FireIce:
average waiting time in A&E is 3 hours (for non-emergency)
seats not enough.
even if u have appt at medical centres/clinics, u still gotta wait at least an hour or 2
Ya, patients has to take medicine on the spot and wait for results...and xray is being taken if any and read on the spot too. They ensure one is ok before letting them go back. -
if u dare go kaciao the missys "how come so long ah? i wait 2 hours liao." or "doctor still haben come?"
the missys will shoot back "dun want wait isit? dun want wait go to private hospital loh!" -
Originally posted by likeyou:
Ya, patients has to take medicine on the spot and wait for results...and xray is being taken if any and read on the spot too. They ensure one is ok before letting them go back.not including these.
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Originally posted by Nelstar:
Well, it is not the A&E. I would be appalled to see ppl queuing for A&E.
i am imagining a queue of ambulances up the slope to SGH's A&E......
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that time at heart centre... i do a couple of tests... and i had to walk from one room to another...
i was not given the green light to walk because someone important VVIP was in the vicinity.. so i had to wait in the room hide first! -
too many ppl living in this island liao la
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If anyone read the Shit Times, they are importing more foreign doctors. From where? The usual places, good luck, everyone, we will need it.
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While sincere, i believe this reply is merely addressing the symptoms. The real issue is the lack of doctors. A & E should be immediate, not having to wait for hours. If i had a wound which requires stitching, yes i may not be in any life danger but i would definitely like to be attended to right away.
Shucks.....
We can really imagine the highly stressful life of medical staff if patients have to wait hours just to be treated.
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A&E should be immediate...
uhh.. i went to the A&E at NUH and waited over 2 hours before the doctor could see me.. and the case is classified as "severe pain" from a slipped disc relapse.. i was curled up in pain and unable to stand up...
after not being able to treat me due to the orthopedic doctor being unable to come see me (maybe it's work load), i went over to Alexandra Hospital the next day, still in a lot of pain...
there, the A&E wheeled me in to see the doctor immediately and the doctor warded me in the hospital for immediate traction and all kinds of treatment...
so... who knows what is going on
workload or mismanagement or both?
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Originally posted by the Bear:
A&E should be immediate...
uhh.. i went to the A&E at NUH and waited over 2 hours before the doctor could see me.. and the case is classified as "severe pain" from a slipped disc relapse.. i was curled up in pain and unable to stand up...
after not being able to treat me due to the orthopedic doctor being unable to come see me (maybe it's work load), i went over to Alexandra Hospital the next day, still in a lot of pain...
there, the A&E wheeled me in to see the doctor immediately and the doctor warded me in the hospital for immediate traction and all kinds of treatment...
so... who knows what is going on
workload or mismanagement or both?
NUH is like Changi Hospital. Crap.
Imagine this: Our population grew from 3 million to 5 million. However, there were only slight improvement for the 5 public hospitals with Khoo Teck Puat hospital opening only recently.
And with more foreigners visiting the country, we are expected to be shorthanded to deal with these talents.
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Can't be help. Population growth and lack of facility. We may have hospitals but staffing with doctors, nurses etc will add to population. It's a vicious cycle.
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No matter how the polyclinics improve, pple still have to wait for hours.....lack of doctors? Not likely,being observe the flow...
1) Take number, wait for number to be display in the neon digital display box...
2 Walk towards the counter, counter keyed in names and printed the name on the stickers.
3) Take another number, go inside and wait for your number to see doctor.
And that is the root of the problems. The nurse have to bring your medical folder to the respective doctor in the room. That take up too much time.
And the doctor kind of take their own sweet time to see a patient.
After seeing the doctor, proceed to collect medicine, and again wait for your number.
Lack of staff, lack of innovations, lack of coordinations, and lack of smooth flow.
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for those who no need take med, u can just leave.
they will send the bill to ur house. u can later go pay at AXS station.
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Productivity in Singapore means taking on 3-4 persons job for less than 1 worker's pay.