Not a happy patient

I would like to thank the staff members at the orthopaedic ward of Parkland Clinic for their excellent service. Dr Mahlodi and other nurses she is working with, keep it up ladies. It shows we still have Florence Nightingales out there and may our good Lord bless you. Unlike other people who don’t take pride in their job, who need to pull up your socks… getting authorisation numbers from patients’ medical aid doesn’t take three to four weeks. I was not happy with the service I got from the authorisation department. They were unable to do their job in getting an authorisation number from my medical aid in time. On May 29, I called to check the status of my son’s booking and whether they obtained the authorisation number. I was told she is busy. Two weeks later I called again. She was impatient and told me I must wait for an SMS from my medical aid. On the June 21, I had to use company resources, doing their job in getting the authorisation from my medical aid, because of the pressure I had from Dr Kurek’s clerk.

P Mautla

We apologise for any inconvenience caused through the misconception around the obtaining of the authorisation number. Please be reminded that while the hospital will do what we can to assist patients in obtaining an authorisation for their hospital stay, it remains the responsibility of the patient to obtain an authorisation for their visit. Not only does this process keep the patient fully informed of any co-payments and benefit limits if and where applicable it allows the patient the opportunity to discuss any concerns the patient may have with regards to the authorisation with the medical aid. To facilitate the process admission clerks are available to assist and a telephone is made available for the patient to contact their funds. However, we would like to thank you for this feedback as this gives us an opportunity to review the way in which the above is communicated to our patients. Please do not hesitate to contact the reception supervisor on 011 812 4000, should you have any further concerns.

Leilane Kruger Parkland Clinic’s patient services manage.