Melomed Tokia, Gynecologist waste of your time!!

I am about 5 months pregnant right now, 22 weeks to be exact. I had an appointment with Dr Aneeqah Hendricks at Tokia Melomed last week Thursday, 25th April 2019.

The very first incident that made me really annoyed is that the receptionist contacted me a day before the time to reschedule for another day via voicemail with absolutely no reason given and note that I did not get this message and the receptionist or the doctor then just went ahead with those arrangements. I then went the Thursday, to find out my appointment was rescheduled without my consent or acknowledgment. Furious that I missed the day out of work, I decided that it would be best to keep my cool and just reschedule for a day that I could get off from work again. I then rescheduled with this doctor for the Tuesday, 30th April 2019. I then once again took off from work and this day was unpaid. When I got there, she asked me to pass her a sample of my urine, I then came back and receptionist then asks me if I am private or medical aid, shocked that she didn’t know, I answered “medical aid, discovery” she then ask which plan and I stated “Key Care Plus” , the receptionist then tells me that they no longer on this plan and I would have to find myself another gynecologist.

Firstly I was utterly annoyed, confused and shocked as to why they did not contact me when they no longer took on Key Care Plus patients and since when this has occurred because when I gave this practice a call in March, I made 100% sure that they do take Key Care plus , and the receptionist also made me aware that the admission fee is R1500 upfront.

I then asked her since when do they no longer take on Key Care patients, and she stated the end of April and I honestly feel like this is so disgusting because nobody contacted me. The least they could have done was to contact me to avoid wasting my time and also maybe arranging another gynecologist for me. Also this lady had no sympathy. I asked her if there’s anything that could be done, could she perhaps refer me to another doctor and explain the situation as I am 5 months and scared that another gynecologist would not take me as I am this far already. She stated that I would have to phone myself and find out for myself.

I also thought about changing my medical plan to accommodate me with still using Dr A Hendricks. I asked the reception what are the Plans they do still consider or take on with Discovery Health and she wouldn’t even write down a list for me, she just kept saying that they don’t take Key Care Plus and I was really annoyed because she just looked like she didn’t care as I was not her patient, there were also another two patients in the room and her attention was more on them, than with me. Her customer service sucked!!

I then went to the 2nd floor where I spoke to a Mishqah who was very polite and sympathetic. She said she would call the other gynecologist that uses a Key Care Plus. Yes she did call me back but the main reason I wanted to go to Tokia is because their admission fee was R1500, where as the other doctors charges R2500 which I honestly do not have. She(Mishqah) gave me the contact details to Gatesville Melomed, and Mitchell’s Plain Melomed doctors, however this still does not solve my issue because firstly I lost two days out of work, all for nothing, and secondly I do not have R2500 to give to a Gynecologist, I depended on the R1500, and I honestly don’t even know whether or not Melomed is going to compensate me or just say sorry. The time is ticking and I still do not have a Gynecologist!!