Materia Medica Malaysiana

Most Ipoh Hospital staff don’t believe in smiling

IPOH: Only 20% of Ipoh Hospital staff admitted in a recent survey that it was important for them to smile while on duty.

The survey conducted by the hospital between June 25 and July 5 on 182 people showed that 70% ticked “disagree'' for the question which stated that smiling was important while on duty.

Another question revealed that only 40% agreed they had to treat their patients well while only 7% agreed there was good communication among hospital staff.

About 30% of the staff also admitted to grumbling when one of their colleagues took either sick or emergency leave.

The findings of the survey were disclosed yesterday by the hospital to Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohamad Taha Arif who launched the hospital's Caring Services Campaign.

Dr Mohamad said it was difficult to believe the survey results because 80% of the hospital staff did not consider that smiling was important.

There might be some defects in the survey, he said.

“If the findings are true, I better pack my bags and leave,” he said during his speech yesterday.

Dr Mohamad, however, agreed that there were many complaints against hospitals.

He reminded staff to improve counter service and use discretion in allowing the sick to jump queue to see the doctor.

He asked senior doctors to set a good example to younger doctors.

Dr Mohamad also advised hospitals to acknowledge complaint letters before starting investigations.

Earlier, state health director Datuk Dr Abdul Razak Kechik said the findings of the survey were a wake-up call for all hospital staff.

He agreed the department had received many complaints.

He called on all district hospitals to organise similar campaigns, adding that Taiping Hospital launched its campaign last month.