‘Everyone’s day can be brightened with a smile’

HALFWAY HOUSE — Community members came out in numbers for the event as it just happened that some were visiting the clinic to get their medication and ended up at the event as well.

In conjunction with Halfway House clinic, Region A Health Department recently hosted an event, I Serve with a Smile, at the clinic to encourage the public to have confidence in the clinic’s staff.

Halfway House clinic staff members sign a pledge as a commitment to service patients with integrity. Photo: Supplied

The campaign is a response strategy to address patient dissatisfaction, tackle complaints, and in particular negative attitudes of staff within the Gauteng Department of Health.

Regional deputy director Nelly Shongwe has a chat with a community member. Photo: Comfort Makhanya

Pholosong Hospital first launched this campaign in 2019 and it was later adopted by the National Health Council South Africa, which sought to make sure that its employees became champions of good service.

On behalf of the staff of Halfway House Clinic, manager quality assurance, and training at the clinic, Queen Motsatsing said they were committed to serving their patients with integrity, professionalism, and most importantly with a smile.

Halfway House clinic staff members Maria Matsane, Dikeledi Mabotja, Minah Hlatshwayo, and Queen Motsatsing commit to serve patients with smiles. Photo: Comfort Makhanya

“Under the leadership of our regional deputy director Nelly Shongwe we are committed to reestablishing a trust relationship between community and staff to remedy the dissatisfaction induced by ‘bad staff attitudes’ in the Gauteng Department of Health,” said Motsatsing.

Halfway House clinic staff members Maria Matsane, Dikeledi Mabotja, Minah Hlatshwayo, and Queen Motsatsing commit to serve patients with smiles. Photo: Comfort Makhanya

During the event Shongwe explained to community members how important the campaign was, not only for the staff but also for the patients.

“Everyone’s day can be brightened with a smile,” said Shongwe, “Imagine if you are feeling sick and you get served with a smile at the clinic, you’ll feel better from the sickness because a smile means everything is going to be fine.”

Regional deputy director Nelly Shongwe addresses members of the community. Photo: Comfort Makhanya

A number of goals for the campaign include encouraging positive working environments, building public trust in clinic staff, avoiding unnecessary litigation between clinic staff and residents, and motivating staff.

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