Patient complains of clinic nurses’ bad attitude

A PATIENT has expressed dismay at the way she was treated by nurses at the Old Crossroads and Nyanga clinics, saying they were unfriendly and impatient.

The patient, who has spoken on condition that her name not be published because she is afraid of further victimisation, said she was referred to the two clinics for treatment by the Khayelitsha District Hospital (KDH) and a private doctor.

“On Monday I was supposed to go to my local clinic to retrieve my results for tuberculosis (TB) after being hospitalised in KDH for two weeks. I was diagnosed with bronchitis and tested for TB, and was told to fetch my results at my local clinic after a week.

“After being discharged from the hospital I was still not well, thus on April 24 I decided to see a private doctor who discovered a new diagnosis – I was diagnosed with high blood pressure – and she issued a note to take to my local clinic so that I can be placed on treatment immediately.

“On the 26th, the day in question, I went to my Old Crossroads local clinic (Crossroads Community Day Centre). The nurses didn’t know what or where to direct me until I reached the TB room where I was directed back to the entry gate. Nurses at the gate said I shouldn’t be there and asked why I didn’t go to Khayelitsha clinic. My answer was that this is my birth clinic and I’m an Old Crossroads resident, yet I was sent away, feeling defeated.”

She said that she then decided to go to the Nyanga Community Health Clinic where she was admitted to the TB room.

“Some nurses in Nyanga also showed attitude towards me, I do not know whether it was due to the fact that I had complained or that I was from Old Crossroads clinic.”

She said the nurse who treated her accused her of being a liar who didn’t know what she wanted and was roaming around “clinic to clinic”. She said the treatment she received from the clinics increased her blood pressure and made her feel humiliated.

Health Department spokesperson Natalie Watlington said: “The Western Cape government expresses our concern to hear that a patient had a negative experience at Crossroads Community Day Centre. Management has met with the patient to address their concerns.”