[NEWS] Book an appointment at polyclinic is now like fighting for concert tickets

[drkcynic]

Why u didn't accompany her

She doesn't stay with me and they always want to save money by going to polyclinics. She goes to govt hospitals without telling me even when I had already bought private hospitalisation insurance for both my parents. I usually only get to know when they need help.

Old people pattern hard to change.

 

[yuzu28]

This is correct. Only people who go through the process will know. With all the waiting and delays, people’s cancer stage 2 could become stage 3 liao.

They will squeeze in appointment if urgent. I did colonscopy in mid feb then the dr sure know sth wrong, so ct scan and specialist in a week. Then in late mar already went surgery for my cancer.

 

[coyote]

Only rich ppl can get medical care in time. Poor ppl ownself die own problem

Pap way of eugenics

I don't think so.

Is that your personal experience you wanted some urgent treatment and you did not get it because you are poor?

My 4 year old kid complained pain on his lower right abdomen. I booked a polyclinics appointment in the morning, the doctor acknowledged he needs to be assessed by the doctor at the emergency, by early afternoon, 2 doctors at the A&E assessed him and their diagnosis is that my boy did not have appendicitis. We were home before 3pm. All the while they never asked whether I'm poor or rich.

I understood many edmwers are not happy with the incumbent but still, please do not spread fake news.

 

[orlengtao]

Then they jacked up the private insurance premium to be super expensive.

Next time even if more people buy hospital insurance that covers private care, those private hospitals also no space if the government keeps importing people nonstop. So the root cause is still over population.

yup, but just saying from my experience. Private insurance is a must for now.

 

[coyote]

They will squeeze in appointment if urgent. I did colonscopy in mid feb then the dr sure know sth wrong, so ct scan and specialist in a week. Then in late mar already went surgery for my cancer.

This is good example to dispell fake news spread by some that only the rich got speedy treatment. Singapore public healthcare is top notch and world class.

 

[yuzu28]

This is good example to dispell fake news spread by some that only the rich got speedy treatment. Singapore public healthcare is top notch and world class.

Well, I don't agree as well though. Cos from polyclinic referral to specialist it took like 2 to 3 months. The specialist also commented it took a little long. And before the referral was done, took few months to do blood tests and monitoring.

And yes, the article is correct too. Getting and appointment at polyclinic is difficult. If walk in in morning, appointment time i got before was 2pm. So, if u are very sick, how to have that energy to return after lunch to see dr?

 

[coyote]

Well, I don't agree as well though. Cos from polyclinic referral to specialist it took like 2 to 3 months. The specialist also commented it took a little long. And before the referral was done, took few months to do blood tests and monitoring.

And yes, the article is correct too. Getting and appointment at polyclinic is difficult. If walk in in morning, appointment time i got before was 2pm. So, if u are very sick, how to have that energy to return after lunch to see dr?

Please refer to my post #117. There's no perfect system in the world. Considering the state we are in, we are really top notch, world class.

 

[orlengtao]

This is good example to dispell fake news spread by some that only the rich got speedy treatment. Singapore public healthcare is top notch and world class.

Not everyone experience the same, Can quote some examples.
Elderly knock on head, thought it's ok and let it be. After a few days became mentally unwell, disoriented . Went to sengkang hospitial and did scan. DR say blood clot, take med and observe first. Then in-between doctors keep changing. Finally a senior consultant came, say no need do anything, let it heal by itself. During the visit to the eldery, can see he randomly got disoriented, sleep walk and etc. Doctors just brushed it aside say no need do ops.

The elderly's daughter went to mount e, within the week the senior dr say just go for ops, the risk is damn low and it doesnt make sense not to do it. Everything resolved and go home within a week, and follow-up scan in 6 and 12 months later.

Another example. Guy 30+,burpling and stomach unwell for weeks. See doctor,dr give some pills and nothing changed. Went polyclinic again, referral for 4 months later at hospital and eat the same meds. The guy dulan went to go private route, within 2 weeks did colonoscopy and endoscopy. Found some gastritis, gave stronger meds and all is good. This example if the guy suay,could be something more serious, the time taken for scan will take at least 6months. Luckily got private insurance,can do everything within 2 weeks.

Another example, an elderly suddenly felt unwell at the heart went to public A&E. Dr did some scan and ct scan, say no problem discharge tell elderly go home as hospitial very full. Elderly still feel uncomfortable, go mount e did more scan and MRI. Found out , got minor stroke, faster ward and treat her. This example if no private insurance, the elderly most likely will get full blown stroke.

Only the rich get speedy treatment is the truth. If you dont have private insuruance, you won't be able to afford all those scan and ward treatment. The diagnosis part is hard as public resources are limited. Public route is good only if your illness is clear cut, discovered and requires immediate attention.

 

[Eost002]

I don't think so.

Is that your personal experience you wanted some urgent treatment and you did not get it because you are poor?

My 4 year old kid complained pain on his lower right abdomen. I booked a polyclinics appointment in the morning, the doctor acknowledged he needs to be assessed by the doctor at the emergency, by early afternoon, 2 doctors at the A&E assessed him and their diagnosis is that my boy did not have appendicitis. We were home before 3pm. All the while they never asked whether I'm poor or rich.

I understood many edmwers are not happy with the incumbent but still, please do not spread fake news.

7am high fever.

If go poly.
Latest appointment 1120am.
$

If go private gp.
Immediately got slot.
$$$

Only the rich can afford immediate health care in time.

 

[yuzu28]

Not everyone experience the same, Can quote some examples.
Elderly knock on head, thought it's ok and let it be. After a few days became mentally unwell, disoriented . Went to sengkang hospitial and did scan. DR say blood clot, take med and observe first. Then in-between doctors keep changing a senior consultant say no need do anything, let it heal by itself. During the visit to the eldery, can see he randomly got disoriented, sleep walk and etc. Doctors just brushed it aside say no need do ops.

The elderly's daughter went to mount e, within the week the senior dr say just go for ops, the risk is damn low and it doesnt make sense not to do it. Everything resolved and go home within a week, and follow-up scan in 6 and 12 months later.

Another example. Guy 30+,burpling and stomach unwell for weeks. See doctor,dr give some pills and nothing changed. Went polyclinic again, referral for 4 months later at hospital and eat the same meds. The guy dulan went to go private route, within 2 weeks did colonoscopy and endoscopy. Found some gastritis, gave stronger meds and all is good. This example if the guy suay,could be something more serious, the time taken for scan will take at least 6months. Luckily got private insurance,can do everything within 2 weeks.

Another example, an elderly suddenly felt unwell at the heart went to public A&E. Dr did some scan and ct scan, say no problem discharge tell elderly go home as hospitial very full. Elderly still feel uncomfortable, go mount e did more scan and MRI. Found out , got minor stroke, faster ward and treat her. This example if no private insurance, the elderly most likely will get full blown stroke.

Only the rich get speedy treatment is the truth. If you dont have private insuruance, you won't be able to afford all those scan and ward treatment. The diagnosis part is hard as public resources are limited. Public route is good only if your illness is clear cut, discovered and requires immediate attention.

I agree with you. Rich will get treated better and faster in general. And in subsidised medical, sometimes got mediocre dr especially in those newer hospitals. I also ever saw a physiotherapist at SGH, msian young lady physio, lousy... wasted my $50 seeing and i did not go back.

 

[I_m_limpeh]

Seeing doctor on Monday or Friday to collect mc is damn popular. If you’re really sick, go polyclinic only from Tuesday to Thursday.

 

[RedEyesFan]

Delay treatment means can blame underlying issues more easily.

 

[orlengtao]

I agree with you. Rich will get treated better and faster in general. And in subsidised medical, sometimes got mediocre dr especially in those newer hospitals. I also ever saw a physiotherapist at SGH, msian young lady physio, lousy... wasted my $50 seeing and i did not go back.

Faster yes, better it depends on luck also bah. If you get senior consultant, pretty sure they are the same or even better for some case. As public hospitial seen more cases, so they are more experienced. Just sometimes they are bounded by gov hospitial SOP, cannot anyhow scan and test

It's just the diagnostic part and specialist appoitnment, the waiting time is stupidly long. I understand also as the public have limited resources and limited fundings. That's why i always educate younger people to get private ISP. If want downgrade, wait till 70+ when you really yolo mode.

 

[IAmChiobu12M]

Why expand to 6m population when there is not enough polyclinic and hospitals? Is PAP going to build more hospitals? Then? Citizens cant get medical care how?

GDP above people. And people can always import.

 

[WarMage87]

Who did you vote for first?

 

[coyote]

7am high fever.

If go poly.
Latest appointment 1120am.
$

If go private gp.
Immediately got slot.
$$$

Only the rich can afford immediate health care in time.

you get a "latest" polyclinic appointment at 11.20am when you have high fever at 7am, that's world class, top notch public healthcare response time.

1, you will likely not have any issue from high fever at 7am to being treated at 11.30am.
2, if you really think your situation is really that urgent, the most common sense thing to do is to pop 2 Panadols before seeing the doctor at 11.30am.
3, immediately get slot for private, this is what it is supposed to be ain't it?

Chosing private doctor so that you can be treated earlier than 11.30am is a choice. Those who prefer cheaper option could just pop 2 Panadols and wait to be treated at 11.30am, which is a short wait from 7 am.

Someone is going to say no Panadols at home how? There are 4.5 hours between 7am to 11.30am. Go buy from the nearby pharmacy, if you are so weak, get help from your family. If you are really so sick and no family. Call 955 for an ambulance to the nearest a_n_e.

Your example showed clearly private doctor is an option.

 

[elf108]

Sat went poly 9am appt. By 930am settle liao. Bill is like 7x cheaper than private . Only $10.
Cheaper better than gp.

 

[Eost002]

you get a "latest" polyclinic appointment at 11.20am when you have high fever at 7am, that's world class, top notch public healthcare response time.

1, you will likely not have any issue from high fever at 7am to being treated at 11.30am.
2, if you really think your situation is really that urgent, the most common sense thing to do is to pop 2 Panadols before seeing the doctor at 11.30am.
3, immediately get slot for private, this is what it is supposed to be ain't it?

Chosing private doctor so that you can be treated earlier than 11.30am is a choice. Those who prefer cheaper option could just pop 2 Panadols and wait to be treated at 11.30am, which is a short wait from 7 am.

Someone is going to say no Panadols at home how? There are 4.5 hours between 7am to 11.30am. Go buy from the nearby pharmacy, if you are so weak, get help from your family. If you are really so sick and no family. Call 955 for an ambulance to the nearest a_n_e.

Your example showed clearly private doctor is an option.

Noted. Taking panadol instead of finding medical care when having high fever so not to get called being weak.

 

[coyote]

Noted. Taking panadol instead of finding medical care when having high fever so not to get called being weak.

Brother, it's just common sense. Should one insist on not taking any medication before seeing your private doctor, that's entirely your choice too. No wrong, no right.

 

[Eost002]

Brother, it's just common sense. Should one insist on not taking any medication before seeing your private doctor, that's entirely your choice too. No wrong, no right.

Hope you wont encounter any high fever above 37.5 and still need to work at site.