On Tuesday, Grocott's Mail visited Settler's Hospital after hearing that the public was concerned that they were not allowed to drive beyond newly erected boom gates, and would have to resort to walking a distance up an incline to access the hospital's services.
On Tuesday, Grocott's Mail visited Settler's Hospital after hearing that the public was concerned that they were not allowed to drive beyond newly erected boom gates, and would have to resort to walking a distance up an incline to access the hospital's services.
People were observed trudging past the newly erected boom gates at Setter's Hospital, heading to the building's entrance and trying to fight off the rain and wind. When Grocott's Mail parked at the hospital's boom gates we were informed of the new rules.
"Only doctors, ambulances and big managers can go inside. If you are a visitor, you must park over there." 'Over there' was on a grassy patch which is a considerable walk away from the entrance. Settler's Hospital staff members have told Grocott's Mail that they have seen patients being dropped off at the boom gates and had to walk to the hospital.
They added that the reason for the boom gates being erected was simply because there was not enough space for staff members to park near the entrance. Settler's Hospital is now under a public private partnership (PPP) between the Eastern Cape Department of Health and a private consortium consisting of Nalithemba Hospitals and Netcare.
It was officially opened by the Department of Health last year in January. Just a month ago, a letter of frustration was written to Grocott's Mail about the manner in which taxi's were dropping off sick people at the hospital gate, "because of policies by Netcare Private Side".
"The hospital has turned out to be a place that provides for the rich and the poor must suffer," the letter read. "We strive to provide all our patients with nothing less than the outstanding care that they deserve," Netcare Manager Marlene de Vos said in response to the letter.
She said that "Settler's Hospital is one of the few hospitals that still allow taxis on their premises. However, many taxi drivers refuse to enter the premises, as they refuse to be searched when exiting". She added that Netcare is responsible for the management of security for the entire facility and, "we are obliged by law to comply with this regulation".
De Vos allayed the concerns and took the time to show Grocott's Mail around the hospital premises where visitors can park and have easy access to the hospital. She said that there are 30 parking bays that are in front of the hospital.
These are divided among 12 hospital doctors, two hospital managers, two administration managers and the rest is for the general practitioners, ambulances and the disabled. She said if ever there is an emergency, a vehicle is permitted to drive to the front of the hospital to drop the patient off at the Accident and Emergency Unit.
"We are not excluding any people that want to use our services. The allegation of people walking up to the hospital from the gate are due to taxis refusing to be searched when they leave the premises." She pointed out that visitors have an option of accessing the hospital by driving along the bottom side of the hospital and using the entrance near the Out Patient Department.
She said that the boom gates were erected on Monday and were for security and risk management purposes. De Vos said that signage was in the process of being placed for directions to parking areas.
