Update

GEORGE NEWS - A starting date for building work on the new hospital of Mediclinic George has not been set, but "a professional team has been identified and conceptual plans have been designed and signed off", according Mediclinic Southern Africa.

Responding to a query from George Herald, Mediclinic Southern Africa said although the construction-starting timelines are difficult to predict during the Covid-19 pandemic, they have identified a site and are in the process of acquiring the land. "This process is expected to be finalised in August 2021."

George Municipality granted approval in principle for the development of the new hospital at Mount View Resort in York Street in November last year.

The municipality this week said that no site development plan or building plans have been submitted yet. "The portion of the Mount View Resort site that was recently cleared does not form part of the Mediclinic site," it stated.

In Mediclinic's provisional development application, the new hospital was described as a three-storey building of about 25 746m² that will initially provide for about 215 beds. With future expansion, an additional 6 738m² can be added to create a building of 32 484m², providing an extra 72 beds.

Previously, it was also confirmed that the National Health Department had approved a heart unit licence for the new hospital and that a public-private partnership with the department was being planned through which state heart patients would be treated locally, instead of in Cape Town.