New system shortens waiting times and gives priority to most urgent cases

Doha - 4 March 2012 Hamad General Hospital (HGH) is implementing a new Fixed Time Appointment System across the Outpatient Department (OPD) that will shorten waiting times and give priority to most urgent cases.

This is part of Hamad Medical Corporation's strong commitment to improving its services and shortening patient waiting times at its hospitals.

The new fixed time appointment system will give priority to urgent or critical cases and to Qatari patients. Under the new system, waiting times will be reduced.   

HMC implemented this project through a collaborative initiative between the HMC's Center for Healthcare Improvement and HGH. HMC has developed a Patient Contact Center which will enable patients to call the Hospital from their homes or office with ease and convenience to enquire about their appointment. The Patient Contact Center is open between the hours of 7am and 6pm and is staffed by qualified and dedicated employees to operate the Center.

HMC Managing Director Hanan Al Kuwari PhD, said today:"The launch of the Fixed Time Appointment System is a continuation and confirmation of the significant success achieved by the Women's Hospital in October 2009 and the HGH's Pediatric Outpatient Clinic in May 2011. Following the success of the new appointment system in these areas we will now be extending these changes across all Outpatient Departments at Hamad General Hospital. 

"We believe the HMC's new Fixed Time Appointment System and the Patient Contact Center will become the starting place for excellence in patient service and appointment scheduling in our Outpatient Departments. Furthermore, hospital employees received continuous and intensive training to play an important and efficient role in this initiative that we expect to be as successful as the previous two that were implemented".

"The new Fixed Time Appointment system was established to support services offered by HMC to all patients. This is part of its commitment to providing the best diagnostic and treatment services that meet the highest international performance standards", added Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari.

Under the new system, patients will no longer need to visit the clinic to book an appointment. When a patient receives a medical referral from a Primary Health Center, or the Emergency Department, HMC will receive a copy of the referral from the treating physician. Following the evaluation of the patient's medical case by the specialist doctor, the Patient Contact Center will call the patient to arrange an appointment at a time that is convenient for him to visit the OPD clinic.

Mr. Nasser Al Naimi, Executive Director of the Center of Healthcare Improvement at HMC said: "We are very proud to add these upgrades and improvements to the healthcare services offered to patients at HMC. This new Fixed Time Appointment System and Patient Contact Center will help patients book, reschedule, or cancel their appointment by phone.  These changes will help us to improve the way in which we deliver care to our patients" he said.

"The Patient Contact Center will also serve as the main point of contact for all patients referred to OPD clinics. With the implementation of the new system, we will no longer see walk in patients without a prior appointment," continued Mr. Al Naimi.

To ensure the successful implementation of the new Fixed Time Appointment System in the OPD clinics at HGH, HMC is asking all patients to abide by their appointment times. If they find themselves unable to keep their appointment, they must call the Appointment Booking Center ahead of time at 4439 5777 to reschedule a new appointment at a time convenient for them.

-Ends-

About HMC:
Hamad Medical Corporation is the premier non-profit healthcare provider in Qatar.  It was established by Emiri decree in 1979 and manages eight highly specialized hospitals, namely, Hamad General Hospital, Rumailah Hospital, Women's Hospital, Al Amal Hospital, Heart Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital, The Cuban Hospital and Al Khor Hospital. Since its establishment, HMC has rapidly developed medical facilities capable of providing state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment of diseases that previously could only be managed in overseas medical centers.

HMC prides itself in providing quality and cost-efficient healthcare for all patients regardless of nationality, in line with the State of Qatar's pledge of "Health for All".  For this purpose, the Corporation implements a policy of continuous improvement of all management systems and patient care protocols. HMC's ethos is based on three key pillars which are Health, Education and Research.

For more information about HMC please visit www.hmc.org.qa.
For more information about this article, please contact:
Corporate Communications
Hamad Medical Corporation
Tel. No.: +974 4439 5241
Fax No.: +974 4439 5249

© Press Release 2012