The big move to new Mediclinic is unfolding

GEORGE NEWS - A major event has begun unfolding in George last week, as one of the city's iconic landmarks, Mediclinic George and Mediclinic Geneva, their specialists, and Garden Route Radiology are all rolling out a carefully planned relocation to the brand-new hospital building at 2 Heron Street (off York Street).

This is being done in the most seamless way possible to ensure continuity of care and to limit disruption of services to the minimum. Celesté Louw, Mediclinic George and Geneva's general manager, has reassured patients and their families that the utmost care will be taken to assure their well-being during the transfer.

Moving Garden Route Radiology's equipment is no mean feat. They began last week, successfully shifting an X-ray machine, and on Tuesday this week, a CT scanner to the new premises.

This Monday, the MRI will be moved, logistically a massive challenge. It is already being deinstalled today, Thursday 26 March.

The move

Mediclinic George and Geneva's move is starting on Wednesday 1 April, according to a well-planned timeline for all the clinical departments.

The patients in Mediclinic Geneva, the day hospital, will begin their move on 1 April.

All the wards of Mediclinic George will be moving from Monday to Saturday, 6 to 11 April.

The emergency centre (EC) will relocate on the evening of Tuesday 7 April, starting at about 22:00 or 23:00, however, those patients who need emergency care will still be served here up until 07:00 on Wednesday morning, 8 April, when the new EC will start operating at 2 Heron Street.

"A doctor and staff will still be on duty for the night at the EC in Gloucester Avenue. During the move, one emergency theatre and the obstetrics department will also be available at the old hospital for any emergencies," says Louw.

The admission of new inpatients at the new facility will start on Tuesday 7 April.

"We will have three full time ambulances on site (ER24 and Frontier Medics) that will be on standby 24-7. Also, additional ambulance staff will be on-site to ensure a smooth transfer of patients where required."

One ambulance is a critical care retrieval services (CCRS) vehicle - a specialised ICU ambulance from ER24 staffed by emergency care practitioners to treat and transport critically ill patients, from newborns to adults. It is one of only two in the country.

Celesté Louw

Specialists

The first specialists started moving over on Monday 23 March, and there will be a gradual relocation of doctors according to a co-ordinated plan up until 11 April when they should all be settled in at the new hospital. Louw has advised that the patients contact their doctor for the details.

Vanessa van der Merwe, practice manager for Drs Hannes Coetser and Richard Carter, said they are moving on Friday 27 March.

"We will be closed, but it will not impact patients as we usually do not schedule appointments for Fridays. We will be closed only on Monday and Tuesday [30 and 31 March], but patients will still be able to phone in for their prescriptions as the telephone line at the new rooms will already be active. We have been informing our patients regarding our arrangements for the move for a while now and have a notice up at the reception."

Sunette Fourie, Pathcare George lab manager, says the existing lab in Gloucester Avenue remains, but they are excited to be opening a new lab at the new hospital that should be up and running by 6 April. Eden Oncology said it is not moving now.

The full relocation should be almost complete by the middle of April, which marks the start of an exciting new era for Mediclinic George and Geneva and their partners.

The parking area that will be temporarily closed.

Temporary parking closure

In preparation for the move to the new Mediclinic George premises, certain equipment and facilities will be transferred from the old location. To assist with this process, temporary closures of parking areas are required.

The affected parking area adjacent to Mediclinic George on York Street will be unavailable during
these times:

• Monday 30 March from 06:00 to 18:00.
• Monday 6 April from 06:00 to Saturday 11 April until 18:00.

Louw said, “To accommodate removal trucks and ensure a safe and efficient moving process, we kindly request patients, visitors and members of the public to make alternative parking arrangements during this time. We can assure patients that access to hospital premises will remain open and all essential services will continue as planned.

"We apologise for a degree of inconvenience during the move but would like to reassure the public that continuity of care will be maintained. Critical Care beds will be available at both the old and new facility as we relocate.

Rika Stander, unit admin assistant in the Mediclinic High Care Unit, and professional nurse Lucille Vorster, High Care Unit manager. They are looking forward to the move as their new unit will have a 360° view of their patients and they are also excited to be under one roof in the new facility.