The clinic was aimed at providing children born with heart abnormalities in Eden and Central Karoo with local access to highly specialised cardiology services through an agreement between George Hospital and the Children’s Hospital.
This was the fourth outreach of its kind at George Hospital and Dr Lawrenson and his team saw 49 patients from the district. Dr Rik de Decker, from Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, initiated the first paediatric cardiology outreach programme to George Hospital in November 2012.
The major benefit of outreach clinics is that it saves sick children and their parents having to make the arduous journey to Cape Town. Some would have to repeat this journey every three to six months.
For a mother to take her child to Cape Town for a Monday cardiology clinic, would mean that they will have to travel to their nearest rural hospital on Sunday evening in order to get to George Hospital to catch the connecting transport to Cape Town at about 02:00. They would have typically only returned the Monday night about midnight, after spending more than 24 hours on transport and at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.
Dr Lawrenson said the paediatric team in George is a 'jewel' to be treasured. "They serve as the model for the rest of the country as to just how good a regional hospital service can be."
Dr John Lawrenson and Sister Alloise Schoeman with a patient.
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