- Joined
- Jul 24, 2008
- Messages
- 33,627
- Points
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Feb 25, 2010
My Point
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Clinic appointment
'Deposit is waived for patients on public assistance.'
DR JOSEPH SOON, director, dental division, National Healthcare Group Polyclinics: 'We thank Mr Lim Fah Kiong for his feedback on Monday ('Cash deposit') on the dental appointment deposit scheme. The dental clinics in the National Healthcare Group Polyclinics operate a highly subsidised service on a full appointment system. A reminder letter is sent to patients seven days before their appointments and a further reminder sent via SMS four days before. Yet, about 30 to 40 per cent of patients fail to turn up for their appointments and do not reschedule or cancel their appointment dates. These slots could have been given to other patients. The appointment deposit was implemented last month and applies only to follow-up visits for dental treatment. The deposit is waived for patients on public assistance or Medifund schemes. We will continue to assist patients from the lower-income group so that no patient is denied dental care.'
Cancellation message
'The clinic did not return calls. Who should be penalised?'
MS JOY KOH: 'Last month, I made an appointment for my child with the dental clinic at Jurong Medical Centre and obtained an appointment for the first of this month. As a referral from the school was required, my daughter visited her school dental clinic where the nurse felt that a visit to the Jurong Medial Centre was unnecessary for the moment. Subsequently, I called the Jurong clinic twice to cancel my daughter's appointment. Both times, no one answered the phone. My calls were then routed to an automated answering service and I left a message cancelling the appointment. The clinic did not return my calls or acknowledge receipt of my message. I felt I had done my part, but the clinic did not. Who should be penalised?'
My Point
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Clinic appointment
'Deposit is waived for patients on public assistance.'
DR JOSEPH SOON, director, dental division, National Healthcare Group Polyclinics: 'We thank Mr Lim Fah Kiong for his feedback on Monday ('Cash deposit') on the dental appointment deposit scheme. The dental clinics in the National Healthcare Group Polyclinics operate a highly subsidised service on a full appointment system. A reminder letter is sent to patients seven days before their appointments and a further reminder sent via SMS four days before. Yet, about 30 to 40 per cent of patients fail to turn up for their appointments and do not reschedule or cancel their appointment dates. These slots could have been given to other patients. The appointment deposit was implemented last month and applies only to follow-up visits for dental treatment. The deposit is waived for patients on public assistance or Medifund schemes. We will continue to assist patients from the lower-income group so that no patient is denied dental care.'
Cancellation message
'The clinic did not return calls. Who should be penalised?'
MS JOY KOH: 'Last month, I made an appointment for my child with the dental clinic at Jurong Medical Centre and obtained an appointment for the first of this month. As a referral from the school was required, my daughter visited her school dental clinic where the nurse felt that a visit to the Jurong Medial Centre was unnecessary for the moment. Subsequently, I called the Jurong clinic twice to cancel my daughter's appointment. Both times, no one answered the phone. My calls were then routed to an automated answering service and I left a message cancelling the appointment. The clinic did not return my calls or acknowledge receipt of my message. I felt I had done my part, but the clinic did not. Who should be penalised?'
