Hospitals, clinics prepare for possible Covid-19 patients

GEORGE NEWS - The George Regional Hospital and Uniondale Provincial Hospital will divert all resources to essential and emergency services in light of Covid-19, according to a statement by George Municipality.

The following measures have been taken by George Regional Hospital:

All non-urgent surgery has been cancelled.

All Outpatient Department visits will be rescheduled for a later date, except high-risk antenatal clinic, dialysis treatment and chemotherapy.

The hospital will be in touch with clients who had appointments. If they have not made contact with you, phone the Outpatient Department on 044 802 4408 or 044 802 4455.

All day-theatre cases and planned surgery will be rescheduled.

Measures at Uniondale Provincial Hospital:

All non-urgent surgery has been cancelled.
Specialist clinics will be postponed.
Women's health services and services to pregnant women will continue.
Limited ultrasound / sonar services will continue.
All non-emergency X-ray appointments will be rebooked.

Measures for social distancing at public health facilities

Local public health facilities have taken measures to ensure social distancing needed to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. An appeal has been made to the public to stay away from crowded places such as clinics and hospitals, unless it is an emergency.

If you need emergency medical care, you must urgently go to your closest health facility.

The following measures are in place:

George sub-district
Primary health care clinics will remain open for essential services only.

Chronic patients:
Patients with six-monthly doctor or sister appointments to renew their scripts will be able to collect their medication at their clinic, but they will not have to draw a folder or have observations done if they are well. A fast lane will be set up at all clinics to ensure limited time in the waiting area.

Please check with security on arrival at the clinic where the fast lane is situated at your specific facility. Patients are requested to please keep to their appointment times as this will help with decongestion of the waiting rooms.

Dental services:
Only management of pain and sepsis with medication will be offered, no extractions or any fillings will be done.

Allied services:
Occupational therapy, physiotherapy, audiology, social work and dietician services will be stopped.

Testing for Covid-19:
Only persons who meet the current NICD screening criteria will be tested for Covid-19 at hospitals and select clinics.

No persons who are well (i.e. those with no symptoms) will be tested. Members of the public are encouraged to complete an online self-assessment form, or call either the National Hotline 0800 029 999 or Provincial Hotline 021 928 4201.

Those who do need testing: do not just present yourself at a health facility for the test. Contact the facility beforehand to arrange for a date and time to arrive at the facility to be tested.

The main three facilities for Covid-19 testing in your area are: