Better Patient Experience at Uniondale Clinic

Uniondale Clinic has enjoyed a number of improvements.

 

Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, thanked the community for their support and patience during the renovation of the clinic at a formal ceremony held on Monday, 20 January 2014 in the Uniondale Community Hall.

 

The revamp included the installation of extractor fans and air conditioners, an enlarged reception area, new floor coverings, a new fence, an extra consultation room and a new dispensary. The room which now serves as a dispensary  and extra consultation room, previously formed part of the adjoining Youth Centre occupied by local government. This additional space will not only improve the general patient experience, which forms part of the department’s vision of delivering a patient friendly service, but also the working environment of the staff. 

 

Attended by among others, Member of Parliament Mr Marius Swart, Eden councillors and people from Uniondale, Minister Botha delivered the keynote address. He said that, “R650 000 was invested to renovate the clinic. The clinic now boasts a separate pharmacy which should contribute greatly to an improved patient experience. 

 

The clinic attends to the needs of about 1 600 patients per month. The burden of disease is mostly hypertension, chronic illnesses and HIV. Doctors from George Hospital visit Uniondale patients on an appointment basis.  

 

Referring to Western Cape Government’s focus on the construction of new health facilities across the province, Since 2009, 12 capital projects were completed in the Eden District, at a total expenditure exceeding R218 million. The three new facilities are Kwanokuthula Community Health Centre and an ambulance station at R39.8 million, Knysna Witlokasie Community Day Centre at R35,6 million and the George Hospital Forensic Pathology Laboratory at R15.5 million. 

 

Chronic medication is delivered once a month to 360 people at an off-site venue. The two mobile clinics service 130 people in the farming areas as well as 310 patients who receive chronic medication on a monthly basis.

 

Staff at the clinic include:  an operational manager, two professional nurses, a staff nurse, a TB tracer, an HIV counsellor, two health promoters and one general worker. The clinic offers the full primary health care package with outreaches from George Hospital.

Patients are referred to Uniondale Hospital.