Bez Valley antenatal patients are not happy with the service they are receiving in the Bez Valley Clinic.
According to *Zodwa Ntuli, who attends the clinic for her antenatal care, nurses are rude and patients have to wait for many hours before receiving care.
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“There are antenatal nurses, but sometimes I arrive at 8am and only leave in the afternoon. It is not nice when you are pregnant.
“By the time you leave, you are very tired. We are even insulted for no reason,” said Ntuli.
She said patients are not aware of where to report concerns.
“We are afraid to submit suggestions or complaints into the suggestion box because the people who treat us this way will be the same people to read them,” explained Ntuli.
The EXPRESS questioned the City of Joburg’s health department about the state of the clinic, conduct of the staff and the clinic’s capabilities to handle the number of patients.
City spokesperson Nthathisi Modingoane said the clinic has enough staff to provide services to patients.
“There are six professional nurses, four permanent and two are on contract.
“One is an enrolled nursing assistant (ENA) and a doctor supports all primary health care (PHC) services,” said Modingoane.
He said patients should be aware of the waiting times at clinics.
“The standard waiting time is two to three hours. It depends on how busy the clinic is and what cases come into the clinic on that day,” said Modingoane.
He encouraged people to report any misconduct as it assists in improving services.
“If patients have complaints, the clinic has a complaints box for complaints and compliments.
“Patients can also approach the facility manager to lodge complaints before they leave the clinic for quick resolution of complaints,” he explained.
He said the city is aware that the clinic provides services to a large number of patients.
“There were plans to build a bigger clinic on the current site. However, the site is not suitable due to the stormwater review levels.
“The department is still looking for an alternative site in and around the Bez Valley Clinic before the health department can secure budget for new premises,” said Modingoane.
* Name changed at the request of the patient.
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