Health
(1) Whether the Nolungile Community Health Centre (CHC) in Khayelitsha has requested her Department and/or the City of Cape Town to build a shelter outside the facility to accommodate patients who queue outside the facility; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) when will the shelter be completed;
(2) whether her Department has any plans to build shelters outside community healthcare facilities to accommodate patients who queue outside facilities from early in the morning until facilities open; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether her Department has any plans in place to assist patients who queue outside local clinics for long to get healthcare services during this rainy winter season; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
1. Nolungile CDC is the property of City of Cape Town, which they share with the Provincial Department of Health. Infrastructure upgrades required at such sites are the responsibility of the owner, City of Cape Town. Through our Department we have submitted a letter of request for such developments.
2. Such developments are on the User Asset Management Plan of facilities. Because most of the facilities have already been built, the space does not always allow for any additional infrastructure.
3. Patients are given appointments and we encourage them to come to the facility closer to their appointment time and not queue outside any facility early in the morning. Patients are triaged and those needing urgent assistance are prioritised. The facility staff do provide chairs and shelter, where possible, or try and reschedule clients according to a better time and weather.
