New clinic to offer patients top-notch care
THELONG-awaited Symphony Way Clinic – which was initially expected to open in September last year – is set to open next month.
Sithembiso Magubane, spokesman for the provincial department of Health, said the new clinic, which is expected to augment health services in the poorer parts of the northern suburbs, will now open in August.
The clinic, which has been under construction for the past few years, is expected to boost health services in areas such as Delft, Belhar and Elsies River.
Magubane said the medical staff of the now defunct Chestnut Clinic in Belhar would move to the new Symphony Way facility when it opens.
Chestnut Clinic, which had been run by the provincial government since late last year, discontinued its services last month to make a way for the new clinic, including the St Vincent Clinic, which had been undergoing renovations.
Chestnut Clinic came under fire last month for poor service delivery. One of the complaints was about patients being consulted about personal health issues in a crowded room in close proximity to other patients.
Magubane said since the closure of Chestnut Clinic, several staff members – including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and administrative – were placed in several health facilities such as St Vincent Clinic in Belhar, Elsies River community day centre, Ruyterwacht clinic and other primary health centres in Goodwood, Parow, and Bishop Lavis.
“Provincial staff that worked at Chestnut have temporarily been relocated to various surrounding provincial primary health care facilities and will be relocated to Symphony Way once commissioned,” Magubane said.
Once completed, the Symphony Way clinic will provide a comprehensive package of services including maternal and child health, chronic disease management, mental health and rehabilitative services.