Penang Hospital expands queue system to ease congestion at General Surgery Clinic

George Town, Penang Hospital is enhancing its queue management system, iQMS, to alleviate congestion at the General Surgery Clinic, following a trending social media post. Health director Dr Zulhizzam Abdullah revealed the system will enable patients to track their queue numbers on their smartphones, allowing them and their companions to wait in more comfortable and less crowded areas within the hospital.

The iQMS will be rolled out in stages, with the aim of extending it to all specialist clinics by the end of the year, according to a statement. Currently, the General Surgery Clinic handles approximately 120 patients per session, including new and follow-up cases; this does not account for those attending for minor surgical procedures and biopsies, which are also performed at the clinic.

On August 26, patient numbers were higher than usual due to two subspecialty clinics operating concurrently with the General Surgery Clinic. Despite the heavy workload, healthcare staff remain dedicated to delivering appropriate treatment to every patient. In the long term, the completion of the Women and Children's Block at Penang Hospital by the end of 2027 is expected to alleviate congestion in existing facilities.

Once operational, relevant departments will relocate to the new block, freeing up space in the existing buildings for the expansion of the General Surgery Clinic. The added space is anticipated to increase the clinic's capacity and provide a more comfortable environment for patients. Dr Zulhizzam emphasized the department's seriousness in addressing the issue and their openness to public feedback as part of their efforts to improve public healthcare services.

He reiterated the department's commitment to improving healthcare delivery while ensuring the welfare and comfort of patients and maintaining the sustainability of healthcare workers' duties.