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. 
