Western Cape Health Minister Theuns Botha sent a message saying that he was very happy that the hospital, which is a very important building block in the health infrastructure for the people of Eden and the Central Karoo, could boast with such a major improvement.
"The Family Medicine Ward, at a cost of R2,25-million, and the Psychiatric Ward, which cost R12,6-million, will play a significant role to further improve health services and generate to society a sense of wellness that we are striving to achieve. The new wards have state-of-the-art technology and equipment."
The Family Medicine Ward, which currently has 14 beds, will increase their beds to 25 and will treat patients who would usually be treated in a district hospital. This will take pressure off the departments that are currently accommodating family medicine patients, particularly orthopaedics, internal medicine and the emergency centre, improving patient flow throughout the hospital. Dr Louis Jenkins, head of family medicine, said, "Our patients will now have a better patient experience, there will be less pressure on internal medicine and the general flow of patients will be better."
The Psychiatric Ward will increase the bed count from eight to 10. The ward consists of three seclusion rooms, a large relaxation and dining area, and an outside area for patients to enjoy as well as an inpatient and outpatient department. Patients with other medical conditions such as TB are accommodated in an exclusion room. The hospital will add another 12 beds to the ward should funds allow this within the next two years. "We now have a more therapeutic environment for mental health users.
I would like to extend my gratitude to all those who were instrumental in planning and executing this project," said Dr Lynnie Boon, Clinical Unit head for District Mental Health.
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Michael Vonk (left), CEO of George Hospital, hands over the keys of the Psychiatric Ward to Dr Lynnie Boon, head of Clinical Unit: District Mental Health.
Crystal Lewis, from Hornlee in Knysna, a cancer patient receiving chemotherapy, will spend two days at George Hospital and will return for her next treatment in three weeks' time. With her is Sister Mariana Grootboom and Dr Louis Jenkins, head of Family Medicine George Hosptial.
ARTICLE: MYRON RABINOWITZ, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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