EERSTERIVIER
EXPERIENCE OUR GUARANTEE
OLD FRUIT VEG SHOP, EERSTERIVER TEL: 021 902 0303
OPEN 7 DAYS
COMPOST
Valid from 14th August to the 18th August 2019
15DM
WAS R16.95
NOW
www.stodels.com
Trading Hours:• Mon to Thurs: 8.30am to 6pm • Fri: 8am to 6.30pm• Sat: 8am to 5pm • Sun: 8.30am to 1pm
VENISON SAUSAGE
9.95 R6999
Offers valid until 18 August 2019. While stocks last.
/KG
X1VLYC89-AL140819
Woensdag, 14 Augustus 2019 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | e-pos: nuus@tygerburger.co.za
@TygerBurger
TygerBurger 11 tydskrifte + 35 koerante
X1VMDFT9-AL140819
NETWERK24. ALLES OP EEN PLEK. Teken in by www.netwerk24.com.
Patients are requested to make appointments instead of queuing at the clinic. PHOTO: BENITA JAFTHA
EERSTE RIVER CLINIC: ‘REPORT WHEN CLINIC OPENS’
Long waits cause a stir NLEBOGANG TLOU
P
atients are urged not to report to the clinic before it opens in the morning. This is the sentiment of officials following concerns over long waits in the cold outside the Eersteriver Clinic, which have caused a stir on social media. Earlier this month, at 06:00 on a cold morning, Edward Diegaard and his wife were among the patients waiting outside the clinic. Concerned over the well-being of his onemonth-old child and that of the other babies and children waiting in the cold with their parents, Diegaard wrote: “Why should onemonth-old babies sit outside in the cold infront of Eersteriver clinic? Because we allow it. So why can’t mommies and babies wait inside in the waiting area? Now they have to queue in the rain from 06:00 only to be hel-
ped from 07:30.” He said to TygerBurger that he and his wife have been visiting the clinic since her pregnancy and is aware of the procedure, hence them getting to the clinic early. “The doors open at 07:30 then you hand in your card. They then call you on a first come first serve basis. If you are not one of first people in the queue, you can be sure to leave the clinic only after 12:00 in the afternoon,” he said. Anticipating the concerns of staff safety, Diegaard suggests the clinic opening for women who arrive early with their children. “They have two security officers on duty from a early hour,” said Diegaard. “All I’m asking is why can’t mothers with babies go inside and wait in the waiting area untill 07:30.” Mayco member for community services and health, Zahid Badroodien, says this is
not possible. He further notes that the clinic cannot be opened earlier, due to the safety of staff. “There is a small shelter outside the clinic gate. Due to safety reasons we do not advise clients to come earlier than 07:30, but to make appointments instead,” he says. Eersteriver clinic caters to an average of 160 people per day serving patrons from Eersteriver, Bluedowns, Kuilsriver, Mfuleni, Somerset West and Wesbank. “Mondays are known to be busy,” says Badroodien. “The new housing developments opening in the area have increased the headcount.” The clinic has an appointment system, where clients can book to arrive and be seen at a specific time. Badroodien says clients with appointments do not wait in the queue and sick children do not need an appointment, and also take precedence.
However, there are challenges which the clinic is still working towards resolving, even though they have full staff capacity. “Unfortunately, there are still a large number of walk-ins arriving without appointments. During winter there is an increase in absenteeism among staff, which impacts on the appointment system. On such occasions clients are informed of the expected delays and given a chance to report another day if their issue is not urgent,” he says. Clinic hours are between 07:30 and 16:30, as per the service delivery board display at the front of the clinic. Badroodien further notes that the facility manager is available should clients have any enquiries. There is also a box for compliments, complaints and suggestions. “A service request is opened for all complaints and a response is provided to clients within five working days,” Badroodien says.