Not too long ago, a blog entry about KTPH A&E's lack of 24-hour senior support triggered a comment that basically asked its writer to be careful about the consequences of "whistle-blowing". Something about Singapore MD being shut down, maybe its contributors being hurled into outer space, or having their limbs ripped off, I can't remember.
First of all, at least one of S'pore MD's co-authors has faced a possible shut-down before. Not because s/he wrote something which was untrue, but because the truth proved too painful a pill for the powers-that-be to swallow ( and more importantly, because his/her blog just happened to be featured by a prominent overseas newspaper, causing a spike in international readership ).
Soon after, I came across a Time magazine article about WikiLeaks, which I happen to think is damn cool. Direct link to the website here. :)
So let's think about this a little bit: what is the main purpose of whistle-blowing?
Answer: to expose an injustice to the public, and hopefully, right a terrible wrong.
In the local context, exposés regarding medical issues usually stem from 2 sources - journalists and patients. And oftentimes, the latter blabs to the former, and it makes headlines.
It is widely known that members of the medical fraternity are expected to adhere to a "code", a code that I don't have to spell out for you. And while many would like to believe that such a code only exists in the medical circle, it in fact does not. Other examples: any profession that involves uniforms and the legal possession of firearms; law; finance; the Catholic church.
Wouldn't it make much more sense for doctors to be exempted from such a code? Why protect someone who's endangering the lives of his/her patients? Why protect organizations that know a serious problem exists, but do nothing to resolve it?
As you can see, the KTPH issue has been kept out of the press. Perhaps the powers-that-be issued an unofficial gag order, but rest assured that they're aware of the issue and are at least taking some action, according to a source I spoke to. It's a rather feeble attempt, but at least it's something.
Last but not least, I hope the powers-that-be will view Singapore MD is a valuable sounding board, and not as a threat. We are not gunning for people to lose their jobs here. We'd just like the administrators and the public to know what's happening at the frontlines, hopefully early enough so as to prevent a major catastrophe.
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12 comments:
Hi
I think you are making things difficult for everyone by publishing such information in the public.
What do you hope to achieve by whistleblowing?
You just make things difficult for hospital administrators who are already busy with the day to day running of the hospitals.
The last thing we want is a journalist sending us an email to verify some facts posted here.
If you are so unhappy about something, feedback to the proper channel and believe me, this is more productive that way.
Regards
If you ask me, it seems like the press are treating KTPH with kids gloves, as if they are afraid to offend the powers-that-be whose pet project this is.
All la-dee-da-dee-da singsong praises about how it is alleviating the bed crunch, single-handedly saving the face of Singapore Medicine, blah the blah.
It's only a matter of time before the truth comes out and I applaud you for standing up for what is best for the patients before things serious go wrong.
I thought this is an informal platform for very constructive & candid, abeit negative, feedback to the powers-that-be, but of course, the need to express with due respect for one other. I personally do not feel encouraged to write feedback to the corp comms dept as they often address on a case-by-case with you and close your case, just like handling routine complaints, when you thought you are providing some valuable feedback and is interested to know if it is routed to the management, but it is transparent, you never get to know who else noted your feedback, other than the junior corp comms exec who answered your query - verbally only, by asking for your contact. They will not want to write back in response to your written feedback. I don't see this as effective other than having my query addressed like a personal complaint, after being pin-pointed to be as specific as possible, rather than being appreciated as a constructive feedback to the hospital.
I thought this forum is valuable to JGH too so that they can pre-start it right. From a patient's perspective, I would think human factor is still the key to patient service for a hospital. No matter what nice eateries, nice retail outlets, gardens, it cannot compromise service excellence by doctors, nurses and frontline staff in the term, 'a nice hospital'. High-tech devices and medical technology sure help improve their efficiency, but primarily it is still the doctor - his skills/competence in treating you, his compassion, his communication, doctor-patient relationship - that matters much. Nurses, pharmacists & others are highly-respected for their roles complementing the dr's, but not substituting what is entrusted upon the dr, for the sake of cutting my consultation time with the dr to be as short as possible, as ultimately, it is still the dr whom a patient has highest regard and trust upon for advice - today.
Due to apparent reasons, we may not be able to have the same, not higher, patient expectations as at old AH, whereby a 6-mth follow-up consultation used to be much longer as my regular specialist has the time for thoroughness in examination, as well as the time to carefully explain to a layman when asked of a medical symptom/condition - in an unhurried manner (makes patient feels calm), together with at atmosphere of friendliness around.
I think that the "powers-that-be" appreciate constructive criticism deep down inside.
The attempt to shut you down might be an attempt to find out if you really are serious about what you know and believe
The system can only work if people who spot problems speak up, highlight difficulties or disasters waiting to happen... sure it might be painful if some middle management types feel threatened and may try to bully you. The people who matter can recognise those who have a stake in the system and who want to make things better. Haven't you been to countless management seminars where they tell you about the O rings on the space shuttle and how everybody kept quiet
Constructive criticism is welcomed but not to be published in public.
The people at the top are fully aware of what is going on but there is a large political and economical cost to implementing changes.
Be assured that changes will be made after the general election when the ruling party receives the mandate from the people once again.
Hmmm why this blog entry ar?
You guys got "contacted" is it?
I figure none of you work at KTPH? But perhaps have colleagues who do. Maybe that's where the "contact" came in.
In the end all the hospitals fall under MOH to some extent. So the rules are about the same.
In Singapore it is not the place of the people on the ground to tell the people at the top what they should do. Well I know they would like you to believe it works that way. Do so at your own peril.
"Be assured that changes will be made after the general election when the ruling party receives the mandate from the people once again."
- from Anonymous, posted 22 September, 2325hrs
So does this mean if the results of the election don't meet expectations, changes WON'T be made?
Oh wait, I notice you said "when", not "if".
Tsk tsk...
But isn't it ironic that all too often, the enforcers and upholders of the 'code' are not actually members of the profession itself? Look at the politicians and administrators, imposing upon professions their unenlightened view of how the world works.
I call it unbiased view. Joe said that he find it easier to lead as a non doctor in nuh as he would not be biased to any dept. Doctors and nurses should stick to their jobs and not take on admin roles since they are not qualified.
Doctors are supposed to have a fiduciary duty to their patients. I guess admin people don't.
Admin people call this "unbias" view.
How nice. Admin people have the right to interfere with how doctors practice because they are qualified.
Unproven point. Doctors and nurses and healthcare workers at large are more qualified to lead hospitals than laymen who know nothing about health, yet somehow consider themselves to be experts.
Singapore MD, keep up the good work. As a fellow doctor, I think it would be dishonest and downright callous to sweep the wrongs under the carpet and just shut up when lives are at stake. My priority is my patients (not KPIs) and my duty is to prevent anything/anyone from endangering their lives while they are in my care. That's why I went to medical school and continue to update my knowledge through postgrad education. My MBBS and postgrad qualifications are NOT for me to please administrators or comprise on my integrity.
It's sad that some people just cannot handle the truth!
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