HELEN JOSEPH HOSPITAL IN JOBURG IS WORKING ON MANY LEVELS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE

In a country where most public services in the past targeted a small privileged minority for decades, and generally, anything public about our current health service is described as a disaster, my public-minded activist brother ROBBIE SCHOLTZ, decided to test the system. He writes about his recent visit to Joburg’s Helen Joseph Hospital:

There are advantages to being a recent retiree and seemingly being deemed to be too old to make a meaningful contribution in the marketplace. First of these is the fact that, all of the sudden, for the first time in many years, it feels as though your time is your own to spend in whichever way you deem fit. As such I am a political animal and love investigating urban myths of sorts.

The general perception of our health system as totally dysfunctional is of interest to me. It is surely at the front line of service provision to ‘our people’. I realise that mine is a very small experience in this whole area of government and not meant as a final word on anything. I am just trying to translate my own experience to anyone who might have the same interest and might need the same benefit.

I have a hospital plan, which I have always believed is the lowest threshold for maintaining your medical survival in old age. But this does not cover day-to-day expenses and my budget is still stretched by the out-of-hospital costs of everyday health needs. My chronic medicine, for example, costs about R1000 per month, in addition to my already mentioned medical plan and gap cover.

The first time that I decided to make use of the public health service was when I needed X-rays of both my knees and found that it would be costing me over R1000 at a private institution. I got a referral from my GP and off I went to the Helen Joseph Hospital, where I believed the X-rays might be done at a cheaper rate if not completely free of charge.

My first hurdle when approaching public health was to get myself registered as a valid recipient. This took about a day and I nearly gave up there and then. But, as I had the time available, and decided to give it a go, I left the hospital after about 12 hours, of which the X-ray process had taken only the last hour.

While being processed, I overheard a senior at the first hurdle say, ‘But why is he still here? This is not right.’ I’m not sure why this was said or what it meant. But all that ends well, works for me and I returned home tired, hungry but satisfied.

My second visit involved a bi-annual cardiac check-up. This became an emergency procedure when I collapsed after 12 holes of golf during one of our heatwave days on a cart-friendly course. Of course, my fit partner and I decided that we could walk the course even though our opponents sensibly got themselves a golf cart. This was old-age delusion at full throttle.

As I was already registered as a patient, I was directed to the intake queue as no. 86. This took quite some time and simply involves one’s vital signs like blood pressure being taken and charted. Once back at the sisters’ desk, I was sent to a doctor’s room, where the queue was only five strong. After another hour’s wait this triage doctor decided which GP I should be seeing for a proper diagnosis.

I did notice at the poly clinic that there were at least two sisters constantly monitoring all queues to ensure a steady flow. After another long day and still a few patients ahead of me, I decided at about 3pm to call it a day, with the permission from the sisters’ desk to leave and return the next morning.

The next day I was back at my post by 7.30am – opening time. I was directed to a queue for patients remaining from the previous day. The doctors arrived after 9am and I was directed to a doctors queue at about 10. The doctor spent an inordinate time with one patient and I got to see him after 12.

He spent at least another hour with me. His investigation into all my needs was very thorough and I was sent for an ECG and blood tests and told to return to his room once done. This was done in the following hour, after which I returned to his room. The ECG seemed to be clear but in the circumstances, he decided to ask for a stress ECG as well. Once this had been done, I should have my blood test results showing the way forward.

This is where I hit my first real snag. The stress ECG office would call me but could not give any indication of the time delay involved. When, after two weeks, I still had not received no call, I went back and asked for guidance. I was met with a simple ‘Have you been called?’ which, was not helpful and was told to wait for the call.

After another two weeks of silence, I asked for a number so that I could at least do my enquiries telephonically. That is what I have been doing since.

As I could not proceed due to the stress ECG not being done, I visited the hospital on my own initiative. My previous doctor had left for private practice, I believe, after his year’s public service had been completed. He had suggested that I complete my current chronic medicine dosage and replace it with the public prescribed medicine which, as a retiree, would be free of charge.

Thus, before my medicine ran out, I was back to see a new doctor. My chronic medicine was prescribed for three months, a blood test was arranged for my next month’s visit and this with the stress ECG two months later, would show the best course forward.

With this info I hope to:

·         Give a solution to fellow oldies worrying about medical costs

·         Honour the many who do a great job in the realm of public health

·         Counter the public perception that there is no public health to be relied on in one’s old age

·         Show that, if you are prepared to put in some effort, great health care is available – first hurdle is just to spend a day getting your own health file

On the negative side:

·         The public health system seems grossly underfunded specifically in the terms ofpersonnel shortages

·         The slack has to be made up by those dedicated souls who already give their all

·         There are off course many instances of neglect and journos should not stop exposing these – but this should be countered by the many positive stories also