Shanika S

Better off not going to Meta- Clinic

As a parent I need to share this horrible experience with everyone! Our 3year old son was bitten by a family dog on Sunday afternoon while visiting family. It happened so quickly and with all the crying and screaming we just wanted to ensure that we choose the best route of action and do it swiftly. We then decided to get to the nearest pharmacy and see if there was anything they could assist with regarding medication and ointment before seeing a doctor. My husband then asked the pharmacist if they could advise anyone or any where we could go for assistance? The pharmacist immediately suggested Meta-Clinic confirming that they are open and have great doctors who can assist. Also confirming that they specialize in dog bites and such situations. We went straight to Meta-Clinic (Cape Road, Port Elizabeth) and were greeted by something rather different than we expected. I had my son in my arms still crying and screaming of shock no matter how we tried during the drive to calm him down. My husband then approached the front desk while I took out my phone to try and play a movie for my son to help take his mind off the pain and what had just happened. We were just about seated when I heard someone say very irritably; "have you registered online?" I just looked up at my husband and was in such shock and confusion...Anyway I went on to try and soothe my son. I then heard someone say to my husband that he needs to register online and saw them hand him an iPad or tablet to do the registration. Then one of the front office staff said, your wife and son must please leave and wait outside in your car. Again I was like...??? what??? I could not believe this...I just looked at my husband and picked up my son and made my way to the door and the same lady was looking at my husband and telling him that they cannot help us and we need to wait outside until they can see us??? But when I checked the website for their address it clearly states no waiting time. What also confused me is that there were other patients sitting in the same waiting area for their respective appointments. I heard as I was walking out my husband ask again, sorry what? did you say we have to wait in our car? He followed me out to our car and asked me in confusion shouldn't we rather go to the ER instead of putting up with this treatment? My Husband went back inside and handed them the iPad and they made no attempt to address my husband and ask if he still needed assistance or if he had completed the forms. They almost seemed happy that we were leaving! So we decided to go directly to the Greenacres Hospital ER, it was a matter of minutes, we just walked in the door and my husband went to find parking after dropping me at the door. My husband just walked in after parking the car and we had already seen a nurse, had all my son's vitals checked and the file opened for us to be in line to see a doctor and be assisted. We were also informed that it was a busy Sunday and due to it being the ER, all high priority or greater emergency cases will take priority. We were happy to wait just as long as we knew we would be helped and our son could be take care of whatever the need may be. Being helped this way and so promptly only infuriated my husband even more after considering the treatment we just received from Meta-Clinic (Cape road, Port Elizabeth, South Africa), it was for this reason that he went back to their offices to find out why we were turned away when we clearly needed assistance urgently??? When he entered the offices he had his phone on and was doing a video of it all and was greeted by the same front office staff member and this time only more excuses, no apologies, no regrets...NOTHING. We were parents with our wounded 3year old son which had been bitten by a dog just needing some assistance and we were turned away, what about the next person in pain or shock who comes through their door and they perhaps don't like the look of them? What happened to them being a Healthcare facility? They are supposed to be prepared and trained for such situations. They also clearly show on their website that they are an Injury on duty facility, which means they are supposed to be prepared for emergency situations where people are hurt on duty and need to be rushed in an emergency to a healthcare facility. So why did we receive this horrific treatment? Where is the care? where is the idea of giving healthcare to all those in need? Appalling treatment, it is shocking!