The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness healthcare facilities have appointment systems in place to help cut down waiting times.
Patients can arrive 30 minutes before their appointment.
Monique Johnstone, communication officer for the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness, said residents should make use of the appointment system and reach out to local facility managers if they have any concerns.
“It's important that we prioritise the safety and well-being of all people visiting our health facilities, especially our elderly and other vulnerable groups. We ask residents to visit the facility when it is open to ensure safety,” she said.
If they’re unhappy with the experience at local clinics, use the correct channels, such as the facility manager, the facility suggestion box, the health committee or reaching out to the provincial client support centre to share your concerns.
Ms Johnstone said patients can avoid queues by using the appointment system, arrive on time, avoid waiting in the dark as it's unsafe and communicate their feedback on services.
Patients can access emergency care at the local clinic. The triage system they follow means you’re assessed according to the degree of urgency their condition requires. Patients are triaged green, yellow, orange or red, with red representing the most urgent cases, she said.
If patients are triaged yellow and green and don’t require a life-saving intervention, this could mean that they’ll have a much longer waiting time if visiting a facility’s emergency centre, especially when it’s very busy over weekends and after hours, she said.
It’s important to protect your overall health during the colder months, she said.
Practise good hygiene, exercise and stay active, eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, manage stress and take your medication.
To send a complaint, SMS the word “Help” followed by your name, the nature of your suggestion or complaint, facility, and, if applicable, the name of a staff member to 31022, you can also dial 0860 142 142 and press “1” to speak with a representative. Send a Please Call Me via 079 769 1207, or email your concerns to service@westerncape.gov.za
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