District hospital for George a reality
The development of a district hospital that will service only patients from the George municipal area is part of the medium to long-term planning of the Western Cape Health Department.
This was confirmed by Nadia Ferreira, spokesperson for the department. She could not give a more precise period in which Georgians can expect their own hospital to be built. Ferreira was approached for comment following a statement by provincial Health Minister Theuns Botha in Pacaltsdorp recently that the town is in need of a district hospital.
Currently, district hospitals from towns in Eden and Central Karoo refer patients for certain services to George Hospital and the latter therefore serves a double purpose as a district and regional facility.
Ferreira said even though the patient load at George is high, the personnel are well qualified and capable to treat the patients who report daily. There is, however, always a need for additional hands.
Asked how many patients are treated on a daily basis, she gave the annual figures: 41 000 at the emergency unit, 21 000 at in-patients and 61 000 at out-patients (an average of 336 people per day).
The majority of patients are referrals from surrounding sub-districts for specialist services such as general surgery (including vascular and urgent neurological surgery), gynaecological surgery and orthopaedic procedures (including hip and knee replacements). Other specialist services include paediatrics, internal medicine (including kidney dialysis) and ophthalmological surgery with the emphasis on cataract procedures.
A general practitioners’ department, together with specialists, supports urology and oncology patients.
There is also an oncology department that performs most of the required chemotherapy treatments locally.
“Furthermore, specialists of the George Hospital offer support services to other district hospitals as well as some clinics in Eden and Central Karoo.”
Some of the patients who are referred to George are sent to Groote Schuur and the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, but a three month audit last year in obstetrics showed that only one patient was referred to Groote Schuur for a very rare condition that required specialised equipment for treatment. “All other referred patients were accommodated in George. There is, however, a need for a midwife-led obstetrics unit in George. That would reduce the number of simple births and the pressure on personnel and beds so that patients can remain in hospital a bit longer,” said Ferreira.
ARTICLE: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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Source: George Herald