Knysna hospital gets new wards

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KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Provincial Hospital officially opened the doors to their newly renovated wards three years after they revamped the emergency centre.

The total cost of the ongoing renovations project was R55-million, of which R22-million has been spent renovating the wards.

The opening of the wards was on Monday 23 October. The wards that have been completed in this phase are the paediatric, female and male wards, as well as the theatre and kitchen.

There is also a new rehabilitation unit and innovation hub.

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Western Cape health minister Dr Nomafrench Mbombo said, “I am quite pleased with the great work that has been achieved in the Knysna Hospital given the recent tragedies [June fires].

"Our core business is to deliver quality healthcare services to all in a conducive environment.

The newly renovated awards officially open. From left: Eden District health manager Dr Helise Schumann, mayor Eleanor Bouw-Spies, provincial health minister Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, hospital board chair Robert Quail, Knysna/Bitou medical manager Dr Earle du Plooy and provincial health department head Dr Beth Engelbrecht.

"That is why it is important for us to upgrade our current facilities to an even higher standard.”

She said for the first time in history they have spent all their infrastructure money making the Knysna hospital project a success, as the hospital was originally built in 1970 and renovations were a necessity.

Knysna and Bitou subdistricts' medical manager Dr Earle Du Plooy said, “Once the emergency centre was opened it was crucial to upgrade the rest of the hospital to the same standard, to ensure that patients were able to enjoy the same quality of care throughout.”

The physiotherapy and occupational therapy units and the dietician department ([nutritional needs) have also been improved to assist in the improved rehabilitation of patients.

The other project is the innovation hub, which enables staff to exchange ideas in an improved way.

Enjoying a tour of the new facilities were (from left) council speaker Georlene Wolmarans, provincial health minister Dr Nomafrench Mbombo and Knysna/Bitou medical manager Dr Earle Du Plooy, sharing a light moment with housekeeping supervisor Sondezwa Salaze (right).

Knysna Provincial Hospital, a 90-bed level 1 facility, serves Knysna subdistrict (population of 69 000) as well as Bitou (population of 49 000). Knysna, with its population growth rate of 2,77%, experiences proportional growth in its casualty patient headcount and as such, facilities need to keep up with this, said Du Plooy.

"This town has the highest population density per square kilometre in the Eden District, which accounts for much of the burden of disease like the highest tuberculosis and HIV incidence rate in the district.