Health ad Wellness
Question by Brendon Adams
In the light of the fact that the George Hospital has experienced severe service pressure since its declaration as a regional hospital:
- What steps has her Department taken to alleviate the pressure on the George Hospital;
- whether her Department has plans to upgrade the clinic in Pacaltsdorp in order to deliver better primary healthcare services to the community; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether there are plans to upgrade the Conville Clinic to a day hospital in order to alleviate the pressure on the George Hospital; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the time frame for this upgrade and (b) what budgeted amount is being considered or has been made available for this upgrade?
(1) I am informed that the Department is implementing a system-strengthening approach to alleviate pressure on George Regional Hospital, recognising that the healthcare system functions as an interconnected ecosystem where pressure at one level affects the entire platform.
In response to rapid population growth and increasing healthcare demand in the George Sub-District, the Department is focused on strengthening services across the healthcare system to ensure that patients are able to access the right level of care, at the right place, and at the right time.
This includes exploring:
- strengthening community-based services to improve access to preventative and early interventions closer to where people live;
- extending primary healthcare service hours at high-burden facilities to reduce unnecessary emergency centre visits and improve continuity of care; and
- establishing a Transitional Care Unit at Harry Comay Hospital to decant stable patients from acute hospital beds and improve patient flow across the platform.
Together, these interventions are intended to reduce avoidable pressure on George Regional Hospital’s emergency centre and services, while improving patient access and strengthening healthcare delivery across the George Sub-District.
(2) The National Department of Health (NDoH) committed to undertake extensive refurbishments and upgrades at Pacaltsdorp. Unfortunately, all contractors previously appointed by the NDoH have been terminated.
As the implementing agent, NDoH has now undertaken to proceed with the project through one of WCDHW’s management contractors, with a budget of R20,370,300. We are informed that the appointment of the contractor is imminent, and the estimated completion date is still to be confirmed.
(3) The existing Conville CDC is planned to be replaced with a new, larger facility on the Harry Comay Hospital grounds. It is anticipated that the future CDC will serve a wider population. The project is subject to funding availability. The estimated cost of the replacement facility is R125 million.
