A local who shares her sentiments with many others has expressed complete dissatisfaction on the service delivery offered at Brackenhurst Clinic.
Phumla Msezane, a Brackendowns resident, has vented her frustration against the healthcare centre, claiming their services have deteriorated over the years.
Msezane, who is a regular at the clinic, told the RECORD the clinic keeps the elderly standing in queues for hours on end.
“The service at the Brackenhurst Clinic is appalling, to say the least. There are no chairs, people have to stand outside the whole day. These people go there because they are not well. My mother was at the clinic from 9am and was only attended to at 2.45pm,” she said.
This is after she noted recently that an elderly man was told to queue like everybody else despite the severity of his condition.
“It is understandable business is not as per usual due to Covid-19. However treatment of our elderly should be a priority. All staff took an hour lunch at once at noon. We could hear them talk and laugh and no one was left to assist patients,” said Msezane.
However, a sister at the clinic assured the RECORD the healthcare centre takes part in providing the best service and gives priority to the elderly.
“We try our level best to give our patients good service. Many patients come to us because they know our service is good. We have been strained lately because some clinics are closed and people then decide to come to us. We are also understaffed,” she said.
She advised patients to visit their nearest clinics and also highlighted that they work on a booking system, especially for chronic patients.
Intervention
Ward 38 councillor Malcolm Maifala-Masebe confirmed that he will be looking into the matter.
“The clinic prioritises the elderly and frail. The best is to raise issues with the staff at the clinic when there is an issue. As the councillor, I will be looking at the provision of chairs. Keep in mind, this is a metro-wide problem,” he said.
City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) acting spokesperson Solly Mashabela said they will institute an investigation to establish all relevant facts to address this complaint.
“The CoE has noted with dismay the serious allegations made against certain staff members at the Brackenhurst Clinic. The City will consequently take disciplinary action should any employee be found to have committed any act of misconduct,” said Mashabela.
He reiterated that ratepayers must be treated with respect and humility at all times, in accordance with the values upon which the City’s operations are based.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms non-prioritisation of the elderly, who are the most vulnerable members of society, especially in light of the pandemic. Also to be prioritised are those members of the society who are gravely ill,” he said.
He said any action that goes against prioritising ratepayers is in contradiction of the Batho Pele Principles, which are the City’s guiding values for service provision.
“To this point, the municipality wishes to apologise, without admitting that anybody has done anything wrong at this stage.”
