HMC reports changes to outpatient services to protect patients, visitors and staff amid rise in COVID-19 cases

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHA Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has announced changes to its outpatient services in response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases...

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORKDOHAHamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has announced changes to its outpatient services in response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Qatar. The changes were made to protect patients, visitors, and staff from COVID-19, and they mean that starting on Sunday, January 2, 2022, 50 percent of outpatient appointments will be delivered via telemedicine consultations and 50 percent will be delivered in-person consultations.Patients receiving telemedicine outpatient consultations are asked not to attend their appointment at the hospital. On the day of the appointment, the physician will call the patient to deliver the consultation.If the doctor determines that the patient requires a follow-up in-person consultation, the doctor will make that happen, and the clinic will notify the patient.To protect patients, visitors, and staff, all HMC facilities have strict safety and prevention protocols in place, and a new visitor policy has been implemented.HMC stated that its emergency departments and Ambulance Service are open 24 hours a day and reminded residents to use these services only in medical emergencies.HMC’s virtual Urgent Care Service is available to support patients with non-life-threatening conditions by calling 16000, from 7am to 3pm, Sunday to Thursday.