Paarl Hospital ready for all emergencies
2010-09-16
THE modern new Emergency Centre at Paarl Hospital, which was revamped at a cost of R18,2 million, was opened on Tuesday by MEC Robin Carlisle. Over 3500 patients per month from as far as Springbok, Stellenbosch, Loeriesfontein, Malmesbury and Piketberg are seen in this busy emergency centre serviced by about 20 day staff and 12 night staff. The Emergency Centre was designed according to international standards and boasts separate ambulance and walk-in entrances, a decontamination room, a nebulisation suite, as well as split areas for minor and major cases and resuscitation, as well as separate waiting areas for family. This centre was designed with durable fittings such as prison strength stainless steel to accommodate psychiatric patients, amongst others. Highlights in the design of the emergency centre include a separate area for pediatric clients and the large overnight area which makes it more comfortable for the approximately 30 clients that overflow almost every day, due to the need for observation before discharge. Paarl Hospital fulfills a secondary level emergency care and has to screen all disciplines, relying heavily on the team of specialists to treat or refer to tertiary level. The emergency centre also deals with disaster management and patients that are flown in onto the new helipad on the roof. The hospital’s bed capacity has been increased from 270 beds to 369 beds with a staff of just over 600. The five theatres, an endoscopy unit, and the emergency unit are completed by specialist services in gynaecology, ophthalmology, urology, ENT surgery, psychiatry and anaesthesiology. The facility has a dynamic group of allied health professionals that include occupational and physiotherapy, dietetics, radiography and sonography, social workers and pharmaceutical services, as well as a volunteer service to assist patients.
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