Frustrated pensioner vents on service received from Brackenhurst Clinic
Pensioner Michael Marsh has strongly expressed his dissatisfaction with the service he received from Brackenhurst Clinic following his unpleasant visit.
I would like to bring to the attention of the community of Alberton the disgusting condition and service at Brackenhurst Clinic.
Firstly, as a pensioner with a disabled son, we are forced to stand in a queue starting outside of the premises for hours on end. My son suffers epileptic seizures when stressed, especially when waiting two to three hours for his turn to receive his chronic medication.
The other problem we have is when we are referred to the Alberton Clinic by Brackenhurst Clinic and given a date for the visit, our files would not be forwarded by Brackenhurst Clinic when we get there.
Once again, we stand for hours at the clinic only to be turned away because of Brackenhurst’s incompetence and lack of service.
As pensioners, we rely on family and friends to transport us to and from clinics, some have to take time off to help us.
Something else that bothers me with Brackenhurst Clinic is old cotton wool with dried blood lying scattered in between the long grass on the so-called healthcare facility premises.
Michael Marsh
City of Ekurhuleni’s response issued by spokesperson Zweli Dlamini:
The facility strives to minimise transmission of Covid-19 infection from person to person by adhering to Covid-19 regulations of social distancing and avoidance of crowded spaces.
Only a minimum number of patients are allowed in the facility while the rest of the patients are allowed to queue outside. The facility personnel monitor the queues through health promoters. While providing health education, they also assess clients in need of emergency medical assistance.
The clinic’s waiting times range from a minimum of 30 minutes to a maximum of two hours.
However, should a client have a medical condition that warrants urgent attention, that client is seen immediately without following the queue, even if the file has not been drawn; it will follow as the client is being attended to in the emergency room.
Clients are also encouraged to alert the clinic personnel of an emergency that requires their attention, which they might not be aware of.
The files from other facilities are sent to the clinic prior to the visit, but due to unforeseen circumstances such as unavailability of transport or a driver, files are sent on the morning of the visit as the driver has multiple or competing commitments to fulfil.
The facility has marked waste bins, which are kept inside the consultation rooms and are stored in a locked designated area when full, which is out of reach of the public and customers.
The facility has a general worker who ensures good housekeeping and hygiene standards are maintained at all times in the internal and the external environment of the clinic.
