Calling all doctors – join the legacy
The clinic continues to open its doors with just one doctor at the helm – operating each week on a Thursday from 08:00 until 12:00.
EVERY Thursday, the Kathleen Voysey Clinic doors open to those in need, offering medical assistance from a team of dedicated doctors, pharmacists and nurses who volunteer their time to give back.
Since the passing of clinic founder Dr Ian Macleod, the clinic has been short-staffed and finding a few doctors to join the team has become a priority in continuing the legacy Mcleod left behind. He visited the clinic each Thursday for the last 25 years, since its inception in 1998, until shortly before passing away on July 1 at the age of 91.
Gregory Whitehead, manager of the clinic, explained that it operates as a registered non-profit organisation (NPO) and public-benefit organisation (PBO).
“We rely completely on donations and medical staff who volunteer their time free of charge. Aside from a need for funding, we are desperately in need of one or two doctors to help – even if they come on a roster basis. A doctor is a priority, but we are also looking for another registered pharmacist to assist. We have two nursing sisters, and if there is another nursing sister available, that would be wonderful,” he said.
With 50 to 60 patients visiting the clinic each week, Whitehead said they were operating with three doctors available.
“Now we are down to one. We are looking for family doctors who are retiring or reaching retirement and want to give back. The clinic caters to people who are unemployed, the indigent or homeless, or aged folk who can’t afford healthcare,” he said.
“We average about 59 patients in a day,” added Rob Smith, the only doctor in the house when Berea Mail visited the clinic last week.
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A lifeline to those in need
Whitehead said the clinic caters to a range of ailments.
“We see acute problems, such as the common cold and flu or wounds that need to be dressed. We also have chronic patients with hypertension and diabetes – those are the most common. If we can’t help a patient, if for instance, they are presenting symptoms for TB, we refer them with a referral letter,” said Whitehead.
Among the patients visiting the clinic last week was Michael Shutteworth who was receiving aftercare treatment for a wound on his leg.
“The clinic is very professional, and the treatment here is better than I’ve received elsewhere,” he said.
Another patient, Fred Irmscher, has been visiting the clinic for about four years.
“There’s no alternative in the area. The clinic provides a very important service to the residents in the area. Not only that, they are very efficient. They could do with a couple more doctors here if possible. The doctors here really work their tails off, and they are giving up their time to come here and help us. The service here is really excellent. If they don’t have the right medicine for you, they will direct you where to go. I get my blood pressure medicine here,” he said.
Harry Mkasibe was also in the clinic queue last week.
“This is my clinic; I can’t use any other clinic. The service here is perfect. I have already seen my blood pressure go down,” he said.
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Making a real difference
Over the years, the medical professionals volunteering their time at the clinic have uplifted the community. Whitehead recalled one case in 2019 when a man heading towards a leg amputation walked out of the clinic with a spring in his step after months of care.
“We had one elderly gentleman who had been going to hospital for many months – he had terrible leg ulcers and a myriad of other problems. The hospital was going to amputate his leg, but then he heard about our clinic through word of mouth and came in. We helped him over quite a few months, and at 80 years old, he was able to keep his leg,” said Whitehead.
Community members who are able to assist the clinic in any way with these needs are encouraged to contact Dr Rob Smith at 076 940 9460, Gregory Whitehead at 031 201 2005 or 082 806 1368. They can also email greg@musgravemethodist.co.za or call Sr Cindy Smith at 083 395 5493 for further information.
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