Councillors set their sights on community healthcare
A meeting was held to facilitate dialogue between different healthcare facilities in wards 25 and 31, in order to improve service delivery.
IN the interests of improving service delivery, ward 25 councillor, Hassan Haniff and ward 31 councillor, Chris Pappas, hosted a meeting to facilitate dialogue between different healthcare facilities in the wards, to improve service delivery.
The meeting was held between King Dinizulu Hospital and the clinics that service the people of wards 25 and 31, and a number heads of department from the hospital were present including the PRO, antenatal, out patients and nursing to name a few. Clinics that cover ward 25 and 31, Clare Estate Clinic, Sydenham Clinic and Overport Clinic were also represented.
This was the first meeting of its kind to be held, and issues such as referral pathways, information sharing, and awareness campaigns were discussed. Other issues relating to improved patient care, issuing of medication and staff training were also brought up in the discussions.
Pappas said the two hour meeting proved extremely productive and successful with all parties taking valuable information away.
He said a follow up meeting has been arranged for 9 March and it was decided to expand the scope of the meeting to include all clinics within the King Dinizulu Hospital catchment area. Other role players that will be invited will include representatives from the paramedics, the ambulance services, NGOs, ward councillors and local health practitioners.
“The meeting was a big step in improving health services in our communities. The commitment from the health service officials was humbling. These professionals have a real passion for what they do and a motivation to improve the services they offer wherever resources and policies allow. Thank you to them,” said Pappas.
Although health falls under the National and Provincial Government, Pappas and Haniff provided the catalyst and stage for improved local level service delivery.
“It is in all of our interests to work together, create awareness and to build relationships, after all, we are all in the business of providing good service delivery,” said Haniff.
