Nurses allegedly chase patients away

When Sibongile Mosang from Wilgeheuwel went to the Weltevreden Park Clinic on 28 July, she never would have imagined she would be turned away.

The mother of two took her son for his 30-month immunisation and her domestic worker for a blood pressure check-up but was told that nurses would not assist her.

The nurses and the cleaner allegedly told her that she was late despite having arrived at the clinic at 3:30 pm.

“They told us that they will probably not help us as they were about to go home. I told them that I arrived on time,” she said.

She claimed that nurses were not assisting patients as they were busy talking to each other.

Her frustration only exacerbated when the cleaner allegedly started swearing at her. “They told me that they knew who I was and that I have attitude and they won’t help me, and if I need help I should go to the private clinic,” she claimed.

One of the nurses also told her that they could help her the following day as they were about to close.

“I told them I expected service and asked why they were chasing patients away but they started swearing at me, verbally abusing me and threatening to assault me,” she concluded.

City of Joburg group communication and marketing officer, Nkosinathi Nkabinde, confirmed the incident. “The City is taking this matter very seriously and has already tasked the area manager to investigate and liaise directly with the complainant. Should these allegations be found to be true, necessary action will be taken to correct the situation,” he said.

He explained that the clinic’s operational time was from 7.30am to 4pm and that patients who arrive within the operational times will not be chased away.

“Necessary remedial actions will be taken accordingly. The City wants to condemn the act of rudeness towards the patient and remedial actions will be implemented accordingly to address that,” said Nkabinde.

Details: City of Joburg: 011 407 6477.

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