Lack of empathy shown by owner of practice by a Locum Doctor THEY appointed

On the morning of the 28th of December 2022, we had made 3 appointments to see the doctor. The doctor had a Locum, Dr De Waal standing in for her while she was away. One was for my husband One was for my sister One was for my mom The appointment was originally made for 10:30 - My sister only saw the doctor at 11:46. The 3 of them walked out there after 2pm. My husband had only seen the doctor just before 2 as load shedding kicked in then. My sister entered the doctor's rooms and he diagnosed her with possible strep throat, gave her a penicillin antibiotic only and she left the room, waiting for the other 2 patients to be seen. She also asked for a sick note to provide to her employer and he wrote one out stating "T D***** was here on 28/12/2022". That's not a sick note. My mom went in and he examined her. She raised concerns of whether or not it was Covid again as she has had it before. He explicitly told her that it cannot be Covid because you cannot get Covid twice! He said her symptoms weren't severe, prescribed her an over the counter cough syrup and she left the rooms. My husband went in, was examined and given over the counter cough syrup as well. The doctor then asked him to send my sister back in to see him. She entered his rooms and he said to her - I misdiagnosed you and changed her script to the over the counter cough syrup as well.

Cough syrup given: Betaphlem 15ml

All 3 patients made a second doctor's appointment whereby all 3 were given a 3 day antibiotic, a throat spray, Bayers blood thinners, Ibupain, a cough mixture and Strepsils. How can the 2 diagnoses be so different? And how does a qualified, educated doctor tell a patient that you cannot get Covid twice?! Instead of paying to see one doctor and paying for medication, it cost them each a double consultation just to ensure that they are diagnosed correctly and receive the right help in relieving their symptoms over the festive period. The frustration of incurring the double cost as you can understand is unnecessary. In January, we received the doctor's account and I decided to phone the practice and inform them of the events that transpired while Doctor De Beer was away. I explicitly informed Helena that I have no problem paying this account as well but I just wanted to inform them of their Locum's behavior. Helena said to me that I was not the first one to complain about the locum in December. She had received many complaints. Helena asked me to please put it in an email and she will bring it to the doctor's attention. After following up, I received this response: "Good day I have brought the matter to dr de Beers attention as you were aware she was on holiday and you were aware that it was a locum standing in for dr de Beer. You were consulted by dr de Waal and unfortunately you are liable for settling the account." Not a single apology or sign of empathy towards their 3 patients who were mistreated and misdiagnosed by an incompetent Locum which they left in charge to treat Dr De Beer's patients during her time away from the practice? The fact that they can't show or take a bit of responsibility for the locum that they appointed in good faith is disgusting. I never once mentioned that I wasn't going to settle the account. I told Helena that I am happy to settle the account. I do NOT recommend supporting this practice. Why should you when they can't even acknowledge or apologize for a situation that took place at their practice by a doctor that they appointed?