George’s first rehab hospital
GENERAL NEWS – A highly specialised unit for rehabilitation is opening its doors at Bergville Retirement village in Denneoord, George. Patients who need to recover from an orthopaedic operation or other trauma conditions, can do so at the Intercare George Sub-acute Hospital. This is the first time that George acquires such a much needed facility.
After having had an operation and after being discharged from hospital, patients can receive rehabilitation at the 16 bed Intercare George hospital. Post-operative care for hip and knee replacements, amputations, and multiple trauma will be provided by physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, biokineticist, as well as a psychiatrist.
There is a fully equipped gym where people can learn to walk again.
They will also be given the necessary support for re-entry into the social and working environment. A total of R375 000 was spent on refurbishing the centre. The peaceful grounds of the retirement village is suitable for such a centre.
Whilst breaking the news and speaking to the George Herald, Mr Kobus van Wyk Client Services Manager, and Mrs Emsie Deysel, Practice Manager, said they were excited that such a specialised service would now be provided at a more affordable rate and paid for by the patients’ Medical Aid. Van Wyk said the hospital would be servicing the entire South Western District.
The Bergville Nursing Clinic which was previously situated at Bergville, would now be moved to Heatherlands where it will be known as the George Frailcare Centre providing 33 beds. Altzheimers patients will also be cared for here.
The Red Rock shopping complex in Arbour Road, (which has been standing empty for the past two years) has been converted and will be ready July 2011 for frailcare patients to move into.
Two George doctors, Drs Tommy Smook and Magdaleen de Swart, will be overseeing both the Intercare George Hospital and the George Frail Care Clinic. Although the nursing facilities will be run totally independent from each other, both will be overseen by Mrs Emsie Deysel and her husband Mr Johan Deysel who have been in the health care management field for decades.
*In the Intercare group there is currently only one Intercare Sub-Acute Hospital situated in Tyger Valley. George would be the second one and others are in planning phase.
ARTICLE AND PHOTO: PAULINE LOURENS – GEORGE HERALD