A Penang lawmaker calls on private hospitals to respect appointment times following a lengthy delay experienced by his family at a private hospital.
GEORGE TOWN: Private healthcare providers should ensure appointment systems are properly managed and respect patients’ time, says Batu Uban assemblyman Kumaresan Aramugam, following a long waiting period experienced by his family member at a private hospital.
Kumaresan said his nephew, who was attending a follow-up consultation for a fractured thigh, was given a 10am appointment but had to wait approximately three-and-a-half hours before seeing the doctor.
According to him, the family was informed upon arrival that consultations were being handled on a first-come, first-served basis despite the scheduled appointment.
“They should keep to the appointment,” he told theSun.
He said while some waiting time was understandable, patients should not be subjected to excessive delays despite having confirmed time slots.
“It is still fine if we had to wait an hour or so. But to wait for more than three hours into lunch time is slightly unreasonable.
“I’m raising this issue not for myself but so that the public can be treated fairly in private hospitals,” he said.
Kumaresan said his sister had travelled from Ipoh for the appointment, with the family arriving at about 10am but only seeing the doctor at around 1.30pm.
He added that when his sister considered leaving briefly for lunch, she was advised against doing so as the doctor was scheduled to leave for another procedure at 2pm.
He stressed that his remarks were directed at hospital appointment management rather than medical staff, adding that private hospitals should improve scheduling systems to ensure punctuality and better patient experience.
The hospital declined to comment when contacted by theSun. However, it is understood that the hospital’s customer service manager has apologised to the family following the incident.
