The DA in Buffalo City Metro (BCM) has called for a probe into alleged “dodgy practices” at Collondale clinic outside East London.
This after two patients were allegedly given incorrect instructions on taking their medications.
DA councillor Sue Bentley said residents from Collondale in ward 31 had expressed real concerns about the availability of services at the clinic, which only opens one day in a week, its cleanliness and poor service received.
“Patients have also queried the qualifications of the staff as no one wears epaulettes or a badge to indicate that they are qualified to treat patients,” said Bentley.
The Daily Dispatch visited the clinic around midday yesterday and found the gates locked.
Pat Westerberg, one of the patients who claims she was given the wrong instructionsclaimed the clinic only opened on a Wednesday.
She said she was lucky to be alive. Westerberg, who is diabetic, alleged she was given Lactose Monohydrate 40mg and on the instructions it was indicated that she needed to take two in the morning, six at lunchtime and two at night.
“I followed the instructions but then I got suspicious of the six that I had to take at lunchtime.
“When I went back to the clinic to ask if the instructions were correct, the same person who issued the medicine was shocked and told me if I had continued to take as per instruction, I would have died or had a stroke,” said Westerberg.
Another patient, Maureen Hamilton, alleged she was given antibiotics two weeks ago with instructions to take 11 tablets every three hours.
“I saw the instructions when I got home and luckily with my nursing experience, I immediately knew it was wrong. When I went back to the clinic the following Wednesday it was closed,” said Hamilton.
Hester Beling said the clinic had no chairs. There was no water and the toilets did not flush.
“The staff arrive late and on many occasions patients are turned away without getting any help as the staff start to work late and leave early.”
Bentley said she had escalated the matter to the DA’s shadow MEC of health, Celeste Barker, and an oversight visit will be conducted.
Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said he had referred the matter to the district manager to investigate. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
Clinic accused of ‘dodgy practices’
This after two patients were allegedly given incorrect instructions on taking their medications.
DA councillor Sue Bentley said residents from Collondale in ward 31 had expressed real concerns about the availability of services at the clinic, which only opens one day in a week, its cleanliness and poor service received.
“Patients have also queried the qualifications of the staff as no one wears epaulettes or a badge to indicate that they are qualified to treat patients,” said Bentley.
The Daily Dispatch visited the clinic around midday yesterday and found the gates locked.
Pat Westerberg, one of the patients who claims she was given the wrong instructionsclaimed the clinic only opened on a Wednesday.
She said she was lucky to be alive. Westerberg, who is diabetic, alleged she was given Lactose Monohydrate 40mg and on the instructions it was indicated that she needed to take two in the morning, six at lunchtime and two at night.
“I followed the instructions but then I got suspicious of the six that I had to take at lunchtime.
“When I went back to the clinic to ask if the instructions were correct, the same person who issued the medicine was shocked and told me if I had continued to take as per instruction, I would have died or had a stroke,” said Westerberg.
Another patient, Maureen Hamilton, alleged she was given antibiotics two weeks ago with instructions to take 11 tablets every three hours.
“I saw the instructions when I got home and luckily with my nursing experience, I immediately knew it was wrong. When I went back to the clinic the following Wednesday it was closed,” said Hamilton.
Hester Beling said the clinic had no chairs. There was no water and the toilets did not flush.
“The staff arrive late and on many occasions patients are turned away without getting any help as the staff start to work late and leave early.”
Bentley said she had escalated the matter to the DA’s shadow MEC of health, Celeste Barker, and an oversight visit will be conducted.
Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said he had referred the matter to the district manager to investigate. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
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