Private and Public hospitalization care

I have the unfortunate experince of sending both my parents and myself to hospital. My dad went to a government restructured hospital and my mum went Mount Alvernia. I, myself and sister also admitted to hospital (mount Alvernia) 

Within a short span of 4 months, I been to hospitals 4 times. Excluding post admission treatment or follow up. I think it's timely, with the Rush of IP plans people consider carefully what plan to get for themselves. 

Cost.

No brainer. Cost is 5-6 times higher in private care. An sterilized bandage (cannot remembered the actual name) cost 20 over bucks in mount Alvernia but cost less than $4 in TTSH.

A PET scan cost $2700 under private arrangement. My dad did 2 x-rays, 2 MRI scan, hospitalized for 4 days and the total bill is around 2K. 

My mum's surgery itself, excluding the prior scan and consultation is about 16K

Comfort

No brainer too. TTSH is flooded. When my dad fall, the holding area is packed like sardines. Cross infection is not a stretch if u ask me. He was there for hours. 

The food is really horrible. Plain and quantity insufficient. My dad complained about cold. 

Attentiveness of nurses surprising are about the same. Think given the no. Of patients in govt hospital, the wait time for attention is really good, although of course you still cannot compare it with private care. 

Choice of Doctor 

I still think private is more systemic. During my dad stay, I remembered different doctors asking the same questions and when I said the questions were asked by the previous Doctor, the doctor was visually displeased. 

They could not pinpoint the cause of my father's fall and numbness, after PET scan and x-Ray and asking tons of questions by 2 doctors. They suspected stroke, but was verified by doctors as not the case. Only after a chat with my dad that I told a third Doctor that my dad complained about backache, maybe you guys should look into that. 

He was brought to do further tests and was verified by doctors that he had spinal compression. 

To the doctors' credit, after 2 more days, they said the numbness is not due to compression but the nerve at the spinal cord. 

But the communication part is really horrible. They doctors told my dad he needed surgery. My dad was upset and I wondered why they never communicate with me. I call back and the doctor told me they are still studying the case and have not decide anything. (Then what the fuck did they have to tell my dad that, my dad was very worried and keep harping that he wanted no surgery.) 

Beside having multiple doctors, the quality of care do not seem to be really worse. 

My mum is getting weaker and weaker, and my sis sent her to the same Doctor again. I asked about the opening hours and wondered aloud what I should do when during dinner, my mum's conditions take a turn for the worse. My sister told me rush to A&E and ask for Dr Goh. Didn't know A and E can ask for Doctor too

Efficiency

The appointments come fast and furious after the admission. There is one appointment that has the test after the consultation. It had to be reshuffle.

There is also case whereby appointment was made but when we went, the nurses said there no appointment.

Conclusion:

From what I wrote, it is obvious I am biased towards private care if one can afford it. 

But when my sister keep complaining about the care my dad received, I told her there is a place for everything. 

I not selling anything. Just make sure you know what you are getting.