Singapore Expats

I am new-ish to Singapore and looking for recommendations for GP or family doctors/clinics for adults.

Ideally around either Novena or City Hall area - but more than happy to make extra effort to find highly recommended GP in other (easily reachable I hope) areas.

I am especially keen to find GPs/clinics are not over-zealous with the drug prescriptions which I experienced in a couple of GPs I tried (randomly).

Any recommendations or places that I should avoid trying will be appreciated.

Thanks very much in advance.

ahkleung wrote: I am especially keen to find GPs/clinics are not over-zealous with the drug prescriptions which I experienced in a couple of GPs I tried (randomly).

Panel clinics from insurance cards are generally averse to over prescribing

If they cross the limit, it is long process to claim back.

Are you using any medical card ?

you do not have to fill your prescription at the clinic. you can also decline medication (and its associated cost).

do so before you pay.

Ideally around either Novena or City Hall area

Generally, I find Raffles Medical clinics to be pretty ok. They do prescribe a range of medication that is needed (so you don't have to keep going back if something doesn't work), but you can always ask them whether any of them are unnecessary.

I've been to the one in Raffles City, but no specific doctor. They're No. 10 on the list if you want to check them out at http://www.nta.org.sg/pdf/RafflesMedica ... isting.pdf

toorak_girl wrote:

Ideally around either Novena or City Hall area

Generally, I find Raffles Medical clinics to be pretty ok. They do prescribe a range of medication that is needed (so you don't have to keep going back if something doesn't work), but you can always ask them whether any of them are unnecessary.

I've been to the one in Raffles City, but no specific doctor. They're No. 10 on the list if you want to check them out at http://www.nta.org.sg/pdf/RafflesMedica ... isting.pdf

doctors are generally not suppose to prescribe "unnecessary" medication... so if you have to ask, then you will likely be told they are all necessary (with perhaps an exception made for supplements that may not sound like supplements at first glance).

there are good GPs that really do a good job in this regard but they tend to be one man shows not likely to be located near City Hall.

my 2c.

the doctor usually does not have time to go through the list of medications and what it does for a patient's illness UNLESS the patient is willing to pay for an extended consult.

so what a patient can do is, when the medication has been dispensed, ask to take a look at all of them before paying.

if you're getting generic OTC stuff like antipyretics which you already have (or stuff you don't want), you can decline them.

the clinic assistant will then tell the dr (you'll have to wait until the current patient in the consultation room leaves) and then the dr will remove it from the records and the assistant will then proceed to change your bill.

alternatively, you are free to ask for a prescription (for all or some of the stuff prescribed) and buy them at a pharmacy at your own time.

the clinic assistant will then tell the dr (you'll have to wait until the current patient in the consultation room leaves) and then the dr will remove it from the records and the assistant will then proceed to change your bill.

Usually the GP will tell me up front what he's giving me (or I will ask anyway), giving me a chance to politely decline things I don't need, like lozenges This way I don't have to wait during dispensing.

Hi, I am also in the Novena area, and I highly recommend Sugino Clinic! I went there because I was searching on Google for GPs and found it there. Doctor Sugino is very affable, she connects with me well. When I went there for my first visit, she had a nice conversation with me and tried to find out as much about my life as possible as a means of getting to the root of my problem. She didn't try to sell me anything but wanted to give me only medication that would be suitable for my treatment, and so she focused first on finding out what my problem was. If you are going to do a urine test, the clinic can also mail the results to you if it is not necessary for you to head down to collect it. They are very efficient as a clinic, and there is a feeling of warmth and familiarity once you enter. Hope this helps!

TheSkinnyScout wrote:Hi, I am also in the Novena area, and I highly recommend ..!

You aren't related to her I hope

ecureilx wrote:

TheSkinnyScout wrote:Hi, I am also in the Novena area, and I highly recommend ..!

You aren't related to her I hope

No definitely not.

toorak_girl wrote:

the clinic assistant will then tell the dr (you'll have to wait until the current patient in the consultation room leaves) and then the dr will remove it from the records and the assistant will then proceed to change your bill.

Usually the GP will tell me up front what he's giving me (or I will ask anyway), giving me a chance to politely decline things I don't need, like lozenges This way I don't have to wait during dispensing.

depends on whether or not your doctor thinks doing so will make it a long consult. not all doctors behave like your GP does, and some will charge (more) accordingly.

it's not common practice in singapore to explain to all patients what each prescribed item is/does.

just because yours does not doesn't make that universal. nobody like having to pay extra without being told.

ecureilx wrote:

TheSkinnyScout wrote:Hi, I am also in the Novena area, and I highly recommend ..!

You aren't related to her I hope

she is quite a nice person IRL as well...!

taxico wrote:

ecureilx wrote:

TheSkinnyScout wrote:Hi, I am also in the Novena area, and I highly recommend ..!

You aren't related to her I hope

she is quite a nice person IRL as well...!

Nothing like a personal referral

Don't see her on TM IHP panel list

A good and very experienced GP/family doctor usually does not need to advertise their services.
People know them through word of mouth.
There is one in Tanglin Shopping Centre. Please ask around and someone may have heard of him.

eleena_tham wrote:A good and very experienced GP/family doctor usually does not need to advertise their services.
People know them through word of mouth.
There is one in Tanglin Shopping Centre. Please ask around and someone may have heard of him.

And ???