We in Singapore have been charging patients who attend emergency depts.
And when we found that there were abusers of the system, we introduced a
two tier charge system ie one for emergency cases and the other for
non-emergency cases (as judged by the attending physician). The effect of
this latter move was only temporary and inappropriate attendances once
again rose to the normal levels.
We increased A&E charges by two and a half times late last year.
Attendances dropped initially but one year down the road, we are
approaching the numbers seen before the charge hike. Moreover we are also
seeing an increased number of patients who present to us late thus with
increased morbidity and complications with resultant longer hospital stays.
Continued public education is definitely the key.
Dr Mohan Tiru
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