Mediclinic: To move or not to move

GEORGE NEWS - After speaking to numerous doctors and other role players in the local medical fraternity, one thing is clear: everybody agrees the current Mediclinic George facility in Gloucester Avenue is far too small.

Doctors are queuing for theatre time as well as for much-needed beds.

But, there are still many doctors who feel that the current Mediclinic building, combined with the Geneva Clinic and the old South Cape College in CJ Langenhoven Street, which is owned by Mediclinic, offer ample space for a revamp.

Mediclinic George is a sectional title building and co-owned by Mediclinic and medical professionals.

Doctors also own properties surrounding the hospital.

As these professionals need to be close to the local private hospital, they will have to move with the clinic, incurring financial losses.

All the doctors will have to rent premises from Mediclinic at a new facility.

Then there are doctors and other medical service providers who cannot wait to move, fervently hoping that the developers and council reach an agreement about the new location ASAP.

Apart from the shortage of beds and theatre time, parking problems also cause frustration.

Plans were in place
Those against the move spoke to George Herald anonymously as they are dependent on the Mediclinic George facilities and careful not to burn their bridges.

One doctor said plans to expand Mediclinic George were drawn up nearly 10 years ago.

"These plans show that the current location allows for the needed expansion. The plans were drawn up to include all the additional beds and theatres, as well as extra parking.

The manager of the Cancercare Oncology Unit in George, Christelle Burnett. Photo: Ilse Schoonraad

"A cardiac licence was approved by the department of health, but has since expired. If they started building back then, the current problems would be non-existent," the doctor said.

Doctors questioned the urgency to relocate as the Department of Health has only granted Mediclinic George nine of the 74 extra licensed beds they applied for and has also refused them a cardiac unit licence.*

However, those in the know believe the bed licensing issue may be due to a glitch in the approval process and that the extra beds will be granted upon review.

Dated building
The medical professionals keen to move do not fancy working on a "construction site".

Local surgeon Dr Leoni Schoeman said the current site is dated.

"A 1970s building just does not lend itself to the upgrades we need. The theatre layout has to change, we need a bigger x-ray section and more space between beds," she said.

"The biggest problem seems to be the conflict about the site, but hopefully they will sort out their differences soon. We urgently need a larger and newer facility.

"It will be wonderful to just walk out of the old clinic and start at the new clinic the next day without the frustration of the construction interfering with our medical care."

It is highly unlikely that the municipality will approve the upgrade of the existing buildings, even should Mediclinic present an application to that effect, as it makes more financial sense for the local authority in terms of rates and taxes to gain a new R700-million facility in town.

The old facility will also get new occupants/owners who will contribute to the municipality's coffers.

Medical hub
Cancercare George Unit Manager, Christelle Burnett, said their oncology centre is bursting at the seams.

"The area surrounding the clinic is completely saturated. We are independent of the clinic, but for practical considerations need to be opposite the facility.

"We have to expand and at the current location there simply is no space. The developers have already allocated space in the blueprint for a larger unit opposite the new hospital and a dedicated oncology ward with its own nurses inside Mediclinic.

"It will also include an overnight facility for families and a family room for consultation with kids. We want to establish a regional oncology centre in George.

"We have a small research unit that needs to expand and we require increased palliative care.

"This is the aim with the new hospital: to offer optimal care within one medical village. In this way we stay competitive and protect the local industry. The cake is only so big."

Burnett said George is too small for two private hospitals, a wish expressed by some doctors who say Mediclinic, as a monopoly, may dictate to them.

"It will dilute the scarce, specialist skills. Let's rather create one hub of excellence," she said.

At this stage the new site will house the Mediclinic, a doctors' 'barracks', the oncology unit, a rehabilitation hospital, an ambulance area and a satellite pathology unit, should PathCare not move their entire laboratory.

It is incredibly expensive to move radiology equipment, but the role players are staying mum on the issue.

Partners
The medical fraternity is mostly in agreement that the unilateral way in which the decision to relocate was made, was not in the spirit of consultation.

"In George we engage and talk things through. This was just announced in a 'take it or leave it' manner. But, we have to accept that Mediclinic is a listed company and very business orientated," the George Herald was told.

Mediclinic Operations Executive of the Western Cape coastal region, Edmund van Wyk, said medical practitioners have nothing to fear.

"Doctors are our partners. We keep our rentals very reasonable and do everything in our power to keep our partners happy.

"The local doctors who are our current partners will also get first option for the available floor space. It is in everyone's interest to ensure continuity."

Van Wyk said finding a new site is crucial.

"We have to think long term. To develop a hospital is an extremely costly process. We cannot afford to spend hundreds of millions now and again in a decade's time when we once more find that the premises and parking are inadequate.

"Relocating as soon as possible to a site that also provides for future expansion, simply makes the most sense for everyone." An announcement regarding the new site is expected soon.

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