Construction has started on a new R68 million emergency centre at Victoria Hospital.
According to Health MEC, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, the work should be done by November 2020 and will not impair services or patient flow.
Extensions are being made to the existing emergency centre to accommodate the patient load until the new wing is complete.
Dr Mbombo asked for those using the hospital to be patient during the construction.
“(The building of the new centre) allows us to provide better quality person-centred care to the communities we serve. This project will not directly affect service delivery, but urge the community to work with us while construction is in progress” said Dr Mbombo.
Only Emergency Medical Service (EMS) vehicles can enter the hospital to drop off patients. Staff parking will be affected for the duration of the construction project and temporary staff parking space is being prepared opposite the hospital. The temporary staff parking will have an enclosed fence and power supply for lights. The fence line borders the pavement of Alphen Hill Road and illegal parking will be reported to the traffic department.
The hospital treats on average 3 000 patients a month from areas in the southern suburbs for minor and major injuries and illnesses.
“We kindly request our patients to think day clinic first and to use their 24-hour Community Health Centre within their catchment area for minor injuries and illnesses to alleviate the service pressure on the existing emergency centre. Victoria Hospital’s emergency centre should be accessed by patients with urgent and life-threatening injuries or conditions, as well as referral cases from the local clinics. By accessing your day clinic first, you can play a key role in reducing the waiting times at the hospital,” said Dr Mbombo.
The existing emergency centre’s main treatment area will increase from seven cubicles to 17, with four resuscitation beds. The observation and overnight ward will increase from currently having eight beds to 18 beds.