Clinic patients turned away
Disappointed patients are being turned away from the new Hluhluwe Clinic owing to confusion over the clinic's opening hours.
STILL in its infancy, Hluhluwe Clinic appears to be having some problems seeing to all its patients, some of whom have been told not to visit the clinic at weekends despite opening times being originally advertised as seven days a week.
Long clinic waiting times result in patients being forced to leave without being treated, as the only time they can visit the clinic is during their lunch break.
They then attempt to seek medical treatment at weekends but are advised not to do so as weekend opening times are for emergencies only.
After being ill and booked off work with high blood pressure, one Hluhluwe resident was still unwell and had to visit the clinic on a Sunday.
After waiting half an hour for the cleaner to clean the floor, the patient was informed the clinic was open only for emergencies.
Concerned about the apparent lack of care for patients, another Hluhluwe resident whose staff members and family have all had the same experiences at Hluhluwe Clinic, contacted the clinic for advice.
Sister Zulu informed him that, should workers need to visit the clinic during their lunch hour, they should take a letter requesting fast-tracked treatment so they can get back to work.
The employer has since done this but it appears to have had little or no effect.
While stakeholders were originally informed the clinic would be open from 7am to 4pm seven days a week, Hluhluwe Clinic has since confirmed the actual operating times to be 7am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
Weekends and after-hours are reserved for emergencies only, during which time only one sister and one staff nurse are on duty.
@TamlynJolly
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