Cape Town - Patients in need of emergency services in Atlantis will soon be cared for in better conditions after the opening of a multimillion-rand emergency unit in Wesfleur Hospital.
Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo on Tuesday officially opened the 24-hour unit together with a paediatric ward that will see children treated separately from adults for the first time in the hospital's history.
The R27 million upgrade is expected to benefit the almost 80 000 people from Atlantis and surrounding areas, including Mamre, Pella, Witsand, Darling, Abbotsdale, Philadelphia and Duynefontein.
Speaking at the opening of the two facilities, Mbombo said the new addition would add to the package of health services that would eventually “close the tap” of the burden of diseases in the area.
‘This new facility is evidence of the government’s ability to recognise and meet the needs of our people. The opening of this new emergency centre and paediatric ward will greatly improve essential healthcare services to the growing community of Atlantis and surrounding areas,” she said.
Classified as a small district hospital, Wesfleur Hospital was regarded as one of the overburdened facilities in the province as there were no adequate primary health clinics in the area.
Mbombo said as a result of lack ofprimary health clinics that offered “comprehensive services”, most patients with chronic diseases had to seek services at this hospital and at clinics.
The 21-bed state-of-the-art trauma unit, which boasts an eight-bed overnight ward, 10-bed assessment area and three resuscitation beds, is expected to alleviate congestion and improve patient flow.
The bigger emergency unit will also see patients allocated different rooms according to their triage score.
It also has a separate waiting area for children.
The nine-bed paediatric ward will also see children treated separately, therefore preventing secondary infections.
The first patient to be referred to the overnight ward of the emergency centre, Michael Meyer, was impressed with the service of the staff and the spacious area.
“The new emergency centre is bigger and accommodates my needs, and I received excellent service from the hospital staff. I am very interested to see the growth of the new developments,” he said.
Barbara Ras, a local councillor and member of the hospital board, said the new additions to the hospital would bring much-needed relief to the hospital.
“Children will benefit the most as they will now be treated separately the minute they walk into the hospital.
“Previously a child would come with one ailment and go home with another.
“The new emergency unit comes at the right time when this community is growing at an unprecedented level.