<![CDATA[Specialist or GP?]]>

cafemug:

Actually, I brought my son to the polyclinic during the Sept holiday to get a referral letter too. Surprisingly, the waiting time was quite short (one hour). After registering, I was given an approx consultation time. Thinking it's just an approx time, we went out for a walk and ended up missing our queue number. I think things have improved a lot over the years at polyclinic. Overall experience was not as bad as I anticipated it to be.

Do you think all polyclinics have short waiting time now or maybe its just yours?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/83714/specialist-or-gpRSS for NodeWed, 06 May 2026 18:06:37 GMTSat, 19 Sep 2015 02:46:58 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Specialist or GP? on Sat, 19 Sep 2015 01:53:17 GMT]]>It sounds uncommon to have enlarged lymph node.


Going to another GP is useless since GP can do nothing other than a referral. Go there only if you are sure you want to go to a pte hospital or pay A class fees at restructured hospital. Once you are paying A class rate, it’s hard to ‘downgrade’.

If you intend to see specialist at restructured hospital, you can get referral letter from a polyclinic or visiting A&E. You can then choose to ‘upgrade’ to A class if you don’t want to wait for too long or choose a specific Dr. Like my son, i opted for private rate at KKH for his speech therapy sessions. Though fees per session were higher, but i was able to secure earlier slots and started intervention much earlier.

Polyclinic has a hotline whereby you can make a phone call to book a same-day appointment (but you must call very early. I tried calling at 8+am and slots for the day was already fully booked). You can also book appointment online using your Singpass.

Actually, I brought my son to the polyclinic during the Sept holiday to get a referral letter too. Surprisingly, the waiting time was quite short (one hour). After registering, I was given an approx consultation time. Thinking it’s just an approx time, we went out for a walk and ended up missing our queue number. I think things have improved a lot over the years at polyclinic. Overall experience was not as bad as I anticipated it to be.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1580127https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1580127Sat, 19 Sep 2015 01:53:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Specialist or GP? on Sat, 19 Sep 2015 01:33:08 GMT]]>

leejeslyn:
That's sldnt be the case. I had similar issue as you before and the GP wrote me a referral letter to see a specialist. Going to polyclinic means you wan to enjoy subsidies from the goverment. because if a GP refers you, you are consider as a private patient.


Otherwise, maybe you can try google and search for a ENT specialist?
if you get a referral letter from the polyclinic doctor to see a specialist at the govt restructured hospital, you will be under subsidized rate.
I understand the waiting at the polyclinic is crazy...but I have no choice because it would be too ex to go private.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1580122https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1580122Sat, 19 Sep 2015 01:33:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Specialist or GP? on Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:52:53 GMT]]>

leejeslyn:
i didnt take any medication from the GP cos the GP referred me straight away to ENT at SGH. I went for a consultation and a check whereby the doc will place a tube from the nose to your throat to check. aft which i was schedule for an appt for a day surgery. This happens many many years back.

ok thanks for your reply.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566881https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566881Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:52:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Specialist or GP? on Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:48:18 GMT]]>i didnt take any medication from the GP cos the GP referred me straight away to ENT at SGH. I went for a consultation and a check whereby the doc will place a tube from the nose to your throat to check. aft which i was schedule for an appt for a day surgery. This happens many many years back.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566880https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566880Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:48:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Specialist or GP? on Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:43:48 GMT]]>

leejeslyn:
That's sldnt be the case. I had similar issue as you before and the GP wrote me a referral letter to see a specialist. Going to polyclinic means you wan to enjoy subsidies from the goverment. because if a GP refers you, you are consider as a private patient.


Otherwise, maybe you can try google and search for a ENT specialist?
you mentioned you had similar issue? may i know how long does it take for the swollen enlarged lymph node to subside? also, which ENT specialist did you see? can i know what medication the specialist gave you?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566875https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566875Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:43:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Specialist or GP? on Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:40:25 GMT]]>That’s sldnt be the case. I had similar issue as you before and the GP wrote me a referral letter to see a specialist. Going to polyclinic means you wan to enjoy subsidies from the goverment. because if a GP refers you, you are consider as a private patient.


Otherwise, maybe you can try google and search for a ENT specialist?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566869https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566869Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:40:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Specialist or GP? on Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:39:52 GMT]]>

mummyJune:
the 2nd GP told me if cannot cure, tell me go polyclinic get referral letter but polyclinic need to wait many hours( i already called & asked). the 1st GP say she cannot do anything, also tell me go polyclinic get referral letter, so strange these 2 GPs!


in that case, should i go 3rd GP?
Did they tell you to go polyclinic so you can enjoy subsidized rates? GPs should be able to refer you to a specialist.

Usually I would discourage GP hopping....but if they didn't give you a referral, you probably will have to visit either GP or go to specialist directly (depends on whether you can claim for spec visit). Explain clearly that you do not wish to wait in polyclinic....

Hope you can find a good doctor and it turns out well for you. Take care!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566868https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566868Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:39:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Specialist or GP? on Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:36:25 GMT]]>the 2nd GP told me if cannot cure, tell me go polyclinic get referral letter but polyclinic need to wait many hours( i already called & asked). the 1st GP say she cannot do anything, also tell me go polyclinic get referral letter, so strange these 2 GPs!


in that case, should i go 3rd GP?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566861https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566861Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:36:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Specialist or GP? on Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:32:43 GMT]]>Hi, unless u knw specifically which specialist you wan to see else i feel to get a referral from GP would be a better choice. You can go back to either one of the two GP whom you have seen and ask them to write a referral letter for you.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566857https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566857Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:32:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Specialist or GP? on Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:27:19 GMT]]>

leejeslyn:
hi, i wld suggest to get the GP for a referral letter to see a specialist.

so go another GP instead of straight to specialist?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566854https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566854Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:27:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Specialist or GP? on Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:21:01 GMT]]>hi, i wld suggest to get the GP for a referral letter to see a specialist.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566850https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1566850Thu, 27 Aug 2015 03:21:01 GMT