Official Complaint Against Mrs F. Kock at EMS Dept- Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital

Good Day

My name is Lindsey and I reside in Upington. On Monday the 12th Of April me and my husband arrived at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital. We came from Upington with hospital transport and had to be transported to Bloemfontein from Kimberley with hospital transport.

When we arrived at the transport bus, Mrs Kock and another gentleman were busy checking in people. She ( Mrs Kock ) was busy talking to people in that bus like it was small kids. She was very rude and unprofessional in her manner of speaking. She proceeded to tell them; "If you don't like the way I am speaking or what I am saying, please feel free to report me, I am Mrs Kock." She then turned to me, asked why I was late. I advised we just arrived from Upington. Rude once again she proceeded to tell me about our late coming and then said but I will take it up with our driver. They checked the list, our names were not on the list. She then turned to me and asked why we were there because we are not on their list, before I could even answer she said, 'Just give me your paperwork". She checked, said to her colleague, it was supposed to be Ambulance Transport, got off the bus and just walked toward the entrance of the hospital. My husband then asked her what was going on and she just rep**** with " Kom".

We were directed to sit inside the waiting area, and she went away. Came back after a while with another ambulance lady. Asked what was wrong with my husband, what medications he was using. She was basically explaining to the ambulance lady and not to us. We proceeded to ask her what was going on. She then advised that my husband was supposed to be transported by Ambulance Transport and the risk of him being on the patient bus. She advised we will need to wait for the Ambulance to arrive and management. She said it could be 09:00, maybe 10:00am. She doesnt know we just need to wait and left again.

In that same waiting area were a few other patients with similar experiences. I am sure if you make contact with everyone that had to be transported by Ambulance to Bloemfontein on Monday morning they will advise the same thing.

When the Ambulance came just before 10:00, She was still complaining because Upington still did not respond to her. She proceeded to say she was management and that Upington is ignoring her. She was basically making an issue that is supposed to be between them as employees our problem and taking her rudeness out on us. When the Ambulance arrived, a patient that was due to travel to Bloenfontein asked the drivers if he could quickly go to PNP, he asked and didn't just disappear and they advised it was okay. The Ambulance driver advised her they were still waiting on him. Her precise words were. " Gentleman, you leave. I am not going to allow anyone to waste your time. You may go now." What if that patient had a heart surgery on that day or perhaps something else. How can she just make a call like that without consulting first. After all, it was not the patient's fault that the Ambulance was running late.

We were warned in Upington about this lady. Many people said they hope we don't get her. Just because your husband is management does not give you the right to treat people like dirt. Many patients also advised that this is just how she is and that we must just accept it. Why should we accept blatant disrespect and abuse of power?

I hope this email reaches the correct channels and that the matter is attended to. This lady is giving your EMS department a bad name and treating your patients like they are nothing.

If she doesn't like working with people, why is she even there ?

If this matter is not attended to and I do not get feedback, I will be taking this matter to Hello Peter as well as contact the local News Papers. People are already coming to the hospital because they are sick and don't need her arrogance to add on top of their discomfort. Not everyone has medical aids and funds for private treatment hence we make use of the Public Service. As a Public Servant she should know better and should be equipped with the necessary skills to work with people.

I look forward to your reply and resolution to this matter.

Your Sincerely Lindsey *** ***