There’s always a first time. In this case, our first time in a Polyclinic and I’m really impressed with Toa Payoh Polyclinic. I’m not saying I have never been to one. But it’s because I have when I was younger that makes me never want to visit a Polyclinic. Time has clearly changed. The Polyclinic is so different from what it used to be.
- The area for the baby vaccination is clean and spacious. With plenty of ceiling fans, it feels airy considered the fact that it’s a really hot day with temperature around 31 degrees celsius now.
- The staff is very service oriented. They greeted us with a smile and have explained everything in both languages (English/Mandarin) for my mum to understand too. They look relaxed and I like the fact they do not hurry/pressurize you. This is a big contrast to the other private clinics we have been. At the private clinics, the nurses can be a pain in the ass I have to admit. And you definitely feel their stress with the long queues of patients in line.
- There is no waiting time at all. This is another big plus. Usually we are waiting forever in the other clinics. Here it’s straight to the self service machines where you scanned the baby’s birth certificate and you are next. Not to mention, there’s these friendly admin staff next to each machine to help you with the scan. I was prepared for the wait and left the baby sleeping in the car. So I end up running to the car park to fetch the baby in order to get to the vaccination area.
- Cheap! $150 for Prevenar and MMR 2nd dose and it’s by Medisave (Medisave is the Singapore national healthcare savings scheme designed to pay some of the medical/hospitalisation bills). No wonder everyone has been saying we should really go to the polyclinic for jabs.
- No crowd. I remember Polyclinic from those days where it’s packed to beam with people and filled with screaming babies or kids. There is never enough seats. Here in Toa Payoh Polyclinic, there’s plenty of seats. Water cooler and magazine racks filled with magazines and newspapers. Sure, it will be more complete if they have a children play area with some toys. But I’m happy.
The airy baby vaccination area
The queue chit with his weight/height/head circumference.
Samuel with teary eyes after two jabs. 😛
Snippets from the life of a working mom 