GREAT BRAK RIVER NEWS - A woman and her partner who went for a Covid-19 test at a local clinic, are highly disgruntled after being turned away by staff.
The woman told the Mossel Bay Advertiser that she and her partner went to the Great Brak Clinic for their Covid-19 test on 19 January.
"We were greeted by a security guard, who handed us the forms and we started filling in the details. Four nurses were sitting on a bench close by, eating and talking, when one shouted out at us, 'Dis mos te laat vir 'n toets,' and then they carried on with their conversation."
The woman alleges that no times were clearly specified regarding when testing is done.
"The nurses simply insisted that we come back the following morning, 'baie vroeg', they added."
In a follow-up email to the Advertiser, the woman said she had received numerous messages and complaints on social media from others having had the same issue after she shared her experience.
"I feel strongly that something should be done about the service at the clinic. Some people are complaining that they can't get help after 15:00 and the clinic is supposed to close at 16:00. Something should be done, or instructions or times should be clearly visible or clearly conveyed to the public."
In its official response, the Western Cape Department of Health said it had looked into the matter and had had discussions with staff about what transpired on the day.
"The couple were attended to, but left without being tested. We remind the public that we can only test until a certain time in the day in order for Covid-19 samples to be couriered on time," said Nadia Ferreira, the spokesperson for the department.
She added that complaints and concerns should be addressed with the manager of the facility immediately, if possible, to deal with any unhappiness or queries straightaway.
The Covid-19 testing time at local clinics, which include Alma, D'Almeida, Asla and Great Brak is 07:00 to 14:30.
Contact numbers are: Alma – 044 814 3100; D'Almeida – 044 814 1237; Asla – 044 814 1850; Great Brak – 044 814 1250
The Advertiser contacted the woman to enquire whether she and her partner did undergo testing following the incident at the Great Brak Clinic, but at the time of going to press, had not received a reply.
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