It was erected at a cost of just over R8-million and an additional R2.4-million was spent on equipment. The project forms part of the extensive refurbishment of the hospital at a cost of R121-million.
Western Cape Health Minister Theuns Botha, who officiated at the opening, said the new unit forms part of the provincial government's investment in health infrastructure throughout the province and will improve services to people in the Southern Cape.
The new unit has 14 examination beds and four additional private examination rooms. This will reduce patient waiting times as more patients will be attended to in a shorter period of time.
Other improvements include:
Resuscitation beds were increased from two to four, including all applicable monitors, ventilators and other equipment with a dedicated bed for children.
A new digital X-ray machine. Traditional X-rays will not be printed anymore, and medical staff will be able to look at the images on special computer screens in the emergency centre as well as on all desktop computers in the hospital. This will be possible within 5 minutes after the X-ray is taken.
A well-resourced dedicated ward for patients that need to be observed for up to 12 hours.
An improved waiting area as well as a family counselling room.
Dedicated examination rooms to be used by primary health care nurses to see and treat patients with less serious ailments.
"The hospital has for a number of years been providing an emergency service under difficult conditions and with this new improved unit there will be enough space and equipment to cope with the emergency related cases that arrive at the emergency unit," said Botha.
Between 100 and 120 patients visit the emergency unit per day.
The unit will continue to cater for patients with less serious ailments that need care when the community health centres and day clinics are not open (after 16:00 and during weekends).
The admission office for both the day theatre and the emergency centre will be in the east part of the emergency unit and the administration of both units will thus be more practical and efficient. The new entrance for walk-in patients is opposite the entrance to the day theatre.
There is a separate entrance for ambulance and emergency cases.
* Die George-hospitaal het verlede week 'n nuwe noodeenheid geopen wat ten bedrae van R8 miljoen opgerig is. Dit beskik oor moderne toerusting van R2,4 miljoen en sal na verwagting diens aan die publiek met rasse skrede verbeter.
The design team are (from left) Conrad van der Berg (project leader of Ruwacon), Pat Collocott (project manager), Andries de Meyer (draughtsman), Tertius Conradie (clerk of works) and Karen Nel (principal agent of SDK Architects).
ARTICLE: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
