Dear TRS,
Last week, 6/6/2014 Friday, 15.30pm.. I had a follow up appointment at SGH for check up as I had a bad fall and was in quite severe pain. I turned up for the appointment early but it turned out to be an unhappy appointment.
I was attended by the doctor (didn't know his name) at consultation rm 2 & he asked me a few questions like what happened to me.
He had a look at my previous X-ray and I told him that I had fallen forward very badly about 4 days earlier and an ambulance had sent me to SGH that day.
I asked the doctor some related questions such as Why I have headache, he said he didn't know and will refer me to the specialist. I explained that previously, I don't have.. only after the fall, I started to get it.. almost 2 or 3 times a day.
After I was discharged the first time, I still have pain on both my arm, headache & right chest. After looking at the original X-ray, he said need to check my right arm again with an X-Ray.
I told him that both my arms are pain but then, he said keep the left arm later for further check, he want only the right arm to undergo the X-ray.
After giving me, the chit.. I went to X-ray counter & was given Q0045, a Malay customer service attended to me & I have to make payment.
I told her.. I don't bring any money as I thought they can bill me later but she was adamant, saying I must pay half the amount at least, when I said don't have then she ask, how am I going to pay for the later bill after consult the doctor?
I told her to please bill my address as I can pay it later, but she said that SGH don't do such a thing.
I am surprised by her answer & at the same, it really upset me means I don't have the money at that time so it meant no X-ray for me. I walked away then she called me back to collect the chit & she took the Q no. I told her since I'm not allow to go for the X-ray, I just throw away the chit!!!!
Where is the compassion? Just because I don't have the money, why.. can't she just bill me later, I am a Singaporean & not a foreigner!! It's not like I'm going to run away, and I think that patients' medical needs should come first.
It's not like I wanted to have a fall and hurt myself. It's very painful, and just when I need close attention, I was not given that attention by the staff of SGH!
That day, no X-ray was done & I received no medicine, I went back.. empty handed without knowing what's going to happen, feeling very sad to be treated like a beggar.
I borrowed money to top-up my ezlink, so that I can go for the appt & get to know more about my condition. I guess SGH employed the wrong customer service officer to attend to me. She didn't show any compassion at all!
Jen
TRS Contributor