Terrible service

This is for the Kenilworth Medicross.

The details of my complaint are as follows:

I had an appointment with Dr Salih Solomon for 16:45 today. I left my office a little before 4 because I am well aware of how traffic can be in Cape Town. Regrettably, I could not leave any earlier than that because I work, a curse many of us are laboured with. I realised that I may run a few minutes late whilst on my way to the appointment so I called the Kenilworth Medicross to notify them of this. They informed me that this would be fine and that the doctor would see me. I arrived at 16:55, and promptly reported to the reception. I was then informed that unfortunately because I was 10 minutes late the doctor would not see me. I was told that the doctor actually wanted me there at 16:30 to fill out paperwork. This was not communicated to me at any point when I made my online booking. I work in IT, there is a myriad of ways that information could have been relayed to me. To have that thrown in my face when I was afforded no possibility to allow for that requirement is infuriating and terrible service. When I asked who would see me in his stead I was told that I needed to sit in the waiting room between 17:00 and 19:00 and I would possibly be seen by a doctor. This, however, could not be guaranteed as it was on a first come first serve basis. It is worth noting that Kenilworth Medicross is well known for being very very packed due to a lack of space.

The reason I wanted to see Dr Salih Solomon was because I had experienced severe vertigo yesterday. I have recently had a very nasty fall, I have been on Exinef 120mg for the last 7 days for inflammation. I am also hypertensive so I was concerned about the possible side effects of Exinef and wanted to have my fears allayed by a healthcare professional. I am sure I do not need to remind any of you of the possibly dangerous side effects for hypertensive patients on Excinef, especially those on ACE inhibitors (which I am). I chose Kenilworth Medicross instead of my private GP because I was trying to keep my medical bills down as this fall has already cost me R3600 (my medical aid has proven to be a disappointment populated almost expressly by con artists).

Instead of helping me I was told that "the doctors work for themselves". Who are they accountable to? Who will answer for this absolutely appalling service? No one is the real answer.

Please let me know what can be done to institute recompense for this situation? It is worth noting that this was my first, and I guarantee you, my last visit to a Medicross. I will ensure that all and sundry are informed that if they want quality, compassionate healthcare they should not look to Medicross. Medicross has no control over their demi-god doctors apparently.

Yours in profound disappointment.