Concern over relocation of mental health care facility in Phoenix

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Concern over relocation of mental health care facility in Phoenix
Concern over relocation of mental health care facility in Phoenix

Durban: Families and patients at Starwood Clinic are concerned about the Phoenix mental health facility’s move. The clinic, located in the same building as the Sassa office on Pandora Street, will be operated by Phoenix Community Health Care (CHC) starting next month. The Starwood Clinic treats outpatients and distributes drugs to patients with mental health problems such as schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. Those visiting the clinic have raised their concerns, but the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health said the move would be beneficial for the patients. Leeanne Allasigadu from Eastbury has been bringing her 41 year old brother Trevor to the clinic for more than 20 years. Her blind brother has been diagnosed with epilepsy and needs anti-anxiety medication. “I’ve never had a problem with the Starwood Clinic. The lines move quickly and the staff is courteous. At the new facility I was told the lines would be longer and if we don’t get there early enough we may have to return the next day. It is difficult to travel by public transport with Trevor and now we have to take two taxis instead of one. Those who suffer from anxiety get restless and angry when they have to wait, so I worry. “Barbara Pillay of Foresthaven said her brother-in-law Dhanadalan Govender, 49, was diagnosed with schizophrenia about 10 years ago. Pillay and her husband Took care of him after Govender’s wife died a few months ago. Instead, they are sending patients to existing facilities that already have a number of outpatients. ” A 34-year-old mother of one diagnosed with depression said she was bullied in high school and has now taken medication to help her cope. “I was bullied for not having light skin had or had straight teeth. The girls pulled my hair or tripped me. In the end, I left school and got depressed. I now have to rely on medication to get through the day. The health department was a good and convenient facility. Why fix what is not broken? ”Another mother of one child, who refused to be named, said she was concerned about the safety of other patients. Her 39-year-old son was diagnosed with schizophrenia on medication more than 10 years ago, he is still having outbreaks and becoming violent. I can’t control it. How will you now treat or support patients with mental illness in close proximity to pregnant women and the elderly? “Province said,” The Phoenix District Attorney and I have received complaints about the clinic being closed and being moved to the CHC Patients and their families said the CHC was already overwhelmed by patients and there was a shortage of “We have now written to Nomakiki Majola, Chair of the KZN Health Portfolio Committee, for an urgent review of housing and other aspects of readiness asked in the care center. Phoenix residents cannot afford to suffer from another compromised health service. ”Ntokozo Maphisa, spokesman for the health ministry at KZN, said the move was part of the requirements of the government’s Ideal Clinic service model. He said the move had been planned since 2019 but has been delayed due to the challenge of Covid-19 integrating with the CHC, which is currently being done. “He said mental health care is a chronic disease and part of the facility and organizational structure of the Phoenix CHC receive holistic, comprehensive and properly monitored care at the right level with 24 hour access visits for a patient. It will also mean 24-hour access to doctors who currently only have one day a week with a doctor in the clinic. Supervision is improved by operational managers who are available at all times as well as extended and senior management on site at Phoenix CHC. They do not receive their treatment on the same day because their medication is prepackaged and will be distributed as before. Patients are also distributed evenly throughout the week. Needs at Phoenix CHC. “Maphisa said patients would have the ability to consolidate their files and conveniently collect all of their medications, including those for other chronic or infectious diseases, at one appointment.” Maphisa said the Starwood Clinic staff were notified to let patients know that the move was permanent. Cassey Chambers, the operations director of the Sout h African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), said one in three South Africans would or will have a mental health problem at some point in their life. She said there was a shortage of mental health facilities and services across the country. “And the facilities we have are full or overcrowded. You don’t have enough medication or staff. We receive calls on a daily basis from people who do not have access to help due to a lack of space, insufficient medication and a lack of patient care staff. It is therefore important that mental health is a priority and that specialist clinics remain open. The government needs to invest more resources in building and maintaining such facilities. “The Post

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