She went there for treatment to prevent a possible rabies infection only to have hair pulled twice in the outpatients department at Dundee Hospital and to be laughed at.
Audrey Menelaou said she hopes that her harrowing experience will ‘finally bring to the boil the lurking discontentment with the shocking service at the local hospital and finally fix the inherent problems to ensure the community gets the service they deserve’.
Her ordeal started last Saturday when she was scratched by what is believed to have been a feral cat that entered her garden on First Street, Glencoe, and fought with her cat. She separated the two felines but later the wild cat jumped on her from a bush and scratched open her hand.

“I did not think anything of it although my daughter, Didi and husband, Louis, wanted me to seek medical attention. I left it until Monday morning when I was finally convinced to seek advice from my private doctor. He immediately told her to report to the hospital with the letter he had given her to receive a rabies vaccination at the casualty department which only Government hospitals can administer.”

“I went up to the clerk and handed her my letter. She flatly ignored me. It was as if I was not there.

She duly did that and that’s when the drama unfolded. Firstly, Audrey says the receptionist ignored her while she chatted to colleagues and when she finally asked what she wanted, she was not impressed with the request.
“Rabies treatment is free and every case must be noted as this is a known rabies infected area. She wanted to know if I have medical aid and if I am going to pay. I tried to explain what the doctor had told me to do and that I must receive the shot at casualty. She simply refused and told me to go to outpatients.” Not wanting to argue further and knowing that the rabies treatment was vital, Audrey went to outpatients which, of course, was packed.
“I went up to the clerk and handed her my letter. She flatly ignored me. It was as if I was not there. Again, I tried to talk to her but to no avail. It was as if I was invisible. Suddenly, a man approached me from behind and pulled my hair. At first, I ignored it – I thought he had accidentally bumped into me. Then he grabbed my hair again and told me ‘white woman get out of here, what do you want?’
“I just left. I was so traumatised. I now know what it feels to be treated like a leper. Others in the queue just laughed. I am so sad that racism is still alive and well at Dundee Hospital.”

She went home without receiving her much-needed treatment. Louis, her husband, called Dr Sandy Bedassi of the Dundee Hospital Board who was shocked to hear the story.
“He took immediate steps and on Tuesday morning we went to the hospital to meet the management with Dr Bedassi. I also finally received my treatment.”
Dr Bedassi told the Courier that he apologised to Audrey Menelaou and other patients who have experienced trauma, ill treatment, poor service delivery etc. at the Dundee Provincial Hospital.
“When I was made aware of the horrific and harrowing treatment that Audrey experienced, I made arrangements for her and I to meet with the newly-appointed Hospital Manager and the Medical Manager. They were fully appraised of the incident and immediate steps were taken for Audrey to receive the necessary treatment.

We should have more Audreys who are courageous to speak out against ill treatment and abuse at the hands of those who are entrusted with our health care.

“I am hopeful that after about 13 months without a leader at the hospital we now have someone who will restore “sanity” and good governance at the hospital. I hope the complaint will follow the due process of investigation and disciplinary measures are taken against the culprits. South Africa is still home to high levels of violence against its women and children, despite a world-renowned Constitution and a legislative overhaul that safeguards women’s and children’s rights.
“Sadly, this horrific incident took place during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. I hope this year’s campaign will attract all South Africans to be active participants in the fight to eradicate violence against women and children (in fact all forms of violence and abuse) in society -hence the theme: “Count me in”.

We should have more Audreys who are courageous to speak out against ill treatment and abuse at the hands of those who are entrusted with our health care.”

Audrey’s experience has gone viral on Facebook with comments from all over the world on how Dundee Hospital’s treatment of patients has deteriorated in recent years.