Tan Tock Seng Hospital

This should probably be 3.5 stars. I am not a big fan of Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). It is a huge place and is easy to get lost while trying to find the way to the ward block. The last time I went to TTSH regularly was probably 12 years or more ago. Things have certainly changed. It has since become the «go-​to» place for any contagious disease, especially after the SARS outbreak in 2004, as it probably has the best technology and equipment and doctors to deal with it. Plus it is very near the Communicable Diseases Centre.
More places are airconditioned now, and it is better ventilated in the non-​airconditioned wards. And the use of technology is more prevalent.
The biggest difference is the use of ID cards for visitor registrations. The rule of 4 visitors during visiting hours is strictly enforced since you need to scan your ID card to enter the bank of elevators to get to the wards. Once 4 visitors have registered and entered the ward, other registered visitors will be place on a waitlist. You will need to wait for the other visitors to scan out and exit before you can enter the hallowed walls. And the turnstiles will only work during the visiting hours. This can be frustrating at times though I definitely understand the logic. You can request for a special pass which will allow visitor to enter at any time, so you can keep your loved one company throughout the day.
The drawback of being a popular or busy or big hospital is that there can be a bed crunch issue. So my sister was hospitalized after going to the A&E after midnight. The bed crunch problem was so bad that they had to do a make-​shift bed area for her along the corridor in the ward, with 2 changing screens for privacy. Luckily she was moved to a proper bed after a day.
No comments on the doctors (head of department who attended to my sister) as it seemed like the illness which befell my sister was very rare and maybe no medical officers had much experience with it. The HOD just said it was a very rare illness.
In any case, the nurses at all 3 wards during the 4+ weeks stay were all very professional and compassionate. Some were better at drawing blood than others so maybe it is the luck of the draw on who you got that day.
The rooms in the wards were ok, basic. The higher floors are renovated and looked brighter than the lower level wards. The ward is fitted with an automated door which could only be opened from the inside once the visiting hours are over.
There is a common waiting area with a TV and vending machine for drinks and snacks. So visitors and patients who are well enough can also gather there for a chat.
The hospital also has a heritage museum next to the food court which is interesting. There are definitely more food options here with Polar café, toast box, coffee bean, Mr Bean offering light meals and drinks. There are a small book store, pharmacy and ATMs.
The staff is very helpful and is able to direct you when you need to ask for directions. The parking can be a terror as it is quite a long, narrow winding circular drive down to B3. You definitely need your concentration if you do not want to add to the marks on the walls.
Valet parking is very useful and is actually a cheaper option at if you intend to stay for 4 hours. Unfortunately it is only available on weekdays. Street level parking is available at the A&E area if you do not want to deal with basement parking.
I must say I will miss the Indonesian food stall inside the food court now that I do not need to go TTSH almost daily. It has pretty good dishes like gado mee and bihun bakso, besides the ayam penyet. The chili is Indo spicy. Beware the heat.

Having lived next to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for more than twenty years, this is the hospital my family and I visit usually when ill health strikes, and we’ve never had anything negative to say about our experiences.
More recently, this is the Traveller’s Health Clinic I visit each time I’m readying for a trip. It’s not usually crowded, so the entire process is extremely quick, and you should be done with your consultation and required vaccinations in less than half an hour. Prices are certainly more expensive than a regular polyclinic, but you get to save a lot of time in return.
In terms of facilities, TTSH has gone a long way since the old days. However, it’s still not that great a place for food, and the Kopitiam is pretty paltry in its offerings. You’re much better off having lunch at the nearby Square 2 or Velocity.

Okay, so its a tad bit weird to be a fan of the hospital but i’ve been to TTSH numerous times to visit friends, or to see the doctor myself and each time I was there, I had a pleasant experience with all the patient service assistants, nurses, therapists and doctors.
While the hospital lay-​out may be a little confusing (in fact, all hospitals are), the information counters are strategically located so lost and confused people like me are able to get help with directions when necessary.
I have also come to appreciate the simple gestures that the hospital has taken to care for patient’s welfare, such as providing free coffee and fruits at the waiting areas for patients to help themselves to.
Seldom do you get such great treatment at other government hospitals and I believe TTSH has distinguished itself in terms of patient service.

Is it weird reviewing a hospital?
I’ve been coming to TTSH frequently this year ever since I got diagnosed with a thyroid condition, and was sent to A&E here. The emergency ward is rather overwhelming: there are just so many people. Like every other public hospital in Singapore they are quite out of beds. There’s some serious bed crunch here.
Once I actually got it though, and after discharge upon visiting a series of various clinics and doctors within TTSH, I think TTSH is probably the best ‘bang for buck’ public hospital we’ve got. It’s very reasonably priced, even compared to other public hospitals, esp if you’ve got the govt subsidies under the various schemes. The standard of treatment is not I think any worse than most other private hospitals. You perhaps only do not get the grovelling service that one gets at our most expensive private hospitals, but hey I’m here to be made better, not be made to feel better about myself.

I hope it’s not too inauspicious to be a fan of a hospital.
TTSH has carved a name for itself as a friendly and affordable hospital. I’ve been in there a few times because I used to be a bit suay, the longest stay was for a fracture on my right ankle.
The A&E people knew what they were doing, they put me in a bed and stablised my foot, politely asked me if they could cut up my jeans; and when I refused, they allowed me to slowly take them off over my injured foot.
Later on my sister and father also had ‘opportunities’ to experience the hospital, and the staff were like neighbours, you could negotiate longer visiting hours or make special arrangements. The toilets were always clean with bright mirrors.
One good thing is that it’s connected with the Novena shopping malls, convenient enough for you to run errands/​shop/​have a meal while visiting.
TTSH is a people hospital, which is why I like it.
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