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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.”
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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