Focus on your core business - patient CARE

Last year I had a meltdown (major depressive episode), seeing that Panorama Medi-Clinic is known for its good handling I was taken there, only to find that the psychiatrist on call did not think my condition warranted his attention and refused to come and see me and admit me. Moving forward to this year, I received a letter stating that I failed to pay my account and therefore I have been listed on TransUnion as a default payer. I phone the collections department and request one thing: proof that I have received any communication from them in this regard, after my last contact with them in (I think) November of 2018. The lady, Elbie, was adamant that I need to abide by their decision, even though proof that I have received communication is lacking, and pay up. This after I explained to her that said proof is necessary for my listing to be valid.

This morning I paid the amount of R 744 due and I have given them 5 working days to provide me proof that the listing is removed and that my name is cleared.

In the meantime I have taken up the issue with Medi-Clinic Panorama regarding the psychiatrist who refused to attend to me. Their response it that the psychiatrist on call is an outside service provider and that they cannot be held accountable for the actions of the psychiatrist on call. I then asked the matron (who was in charge of the fine hospital in the absence of the manager - Mr. Vorster) for the name of the psychiatrist that was on call so that I can take up the matter with the medical counsel. She said she would look at the files and come back to me as soon as possible. That was on 9 January and to date I have not heard anything from her.

Hospital and hospital groups need to elevate the standard of service delivery, not the fees levied for services not rendered. When they can focus on patient care and not financial gain (or should I rather say rip-off) the average Joe can start to afford proper care and medical aid contributions can start to decrease. With these fat cats I doubt that will ever happen.

As I told Elbie and Sophia, as far as it depends on me, I will not make use of any Medi-Clinic facility again.