'Visiting consultants' to ease doctor shortage?

Many of our restructured hospitals are facing a shortage of specialists, as a number have left the public service.

At Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) for instance, patients in its Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology and Orthopaedic departments have to wait for long periods to be treated. Some are even directed to the A&E department and still have to wait for hours.

As a regular at TTSH, I know that a patient could also wait for as long as six to eight months for a knee operation, which could worsen their condition. Such delays are not in keeping with an efficient healthcare system.

Given that many of our seniors are facing knee and arthritis problems or other ageing issues, the hospitals should bring back specialists from the private sector as visiting consultants.

This is being done at TTSH's eye clinic and should be adopted where needed. Visiting consultants would help to reduce the heavy workload the current pool of full-time specialists are facing now and will continue to face in the years ahead.
Raymond Anthony Fernando

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