THE former minister of health promised patients that their wait at hospitals and clinics would be less than an hour and when he was in service this promise was kept.

However, it looks as if the Shah Alam Community Clinic is no longer willing or able to adhere to this rule.

As a pensioner, I am rather disappointed at the way things are going on.

Previously, the service was much faster. I am writing in so that this clinic and others can improve their services to the public.

First of all, although there was a chart to show the procedure for a patient to go through, it was not accurate as the steps were not followed.

Secondly, the chart could have been clearer and in more detail (with graphics to help those who cannot read).

Although rooms were numbered, the chart did not show which room or counter patients had to go to.

On the day I visited the clinic, the lighted indicator informing patients which room their cards were sent to was not working. No announcements were made.

The staff of each section that patients went to for tests did not clearly inform patients where to go next. Had this been done, patients need not have wandered around like lost sheep.

Special numbers were given to those in wheelchairs or elderly, but no indication was given as to who qualified.

Many patients became annoyed with what they perceived to be queue-jumping by patients with the special numbers. I want the clinic officials to explain clearly who should be given such numbers.

Being a pensioner, my wife and I should qualify but we were not given such a number.

I wish to end with a note of praise for the staff in general for coping with the large number of patients every day.

However, those in charge of administration could make their work and the life of patients less tedious by being more thorough in their planning and implementation of procedures.

V.G. , Kuala Selangor

Source: NST – July 25, 2008