R500 Million Mitchell's Plain Hospital Nearing Completion

The R500 million Mitchell's Plain Hospital construction project has been a massive undertaking by the Western Cape Government. The hospital will offer district hospital services to people living in the Mitchell's Plain, Philippi and Mandalay areas.

Built just off the R300 and at the back of the existing site of the Lentegeur Hospital, the facility will be easily accessible for the people of Mitchell's Plain. As a district hospital, the facility will provide care and support services to the area's primary healthcare clinics. Construction began in January 2010, and final completion is expected in January 2013.

Theuns Botha, Minister of Health, said: "The new hospital will form an important link in the reshaping of healthcare services by providing district healthcare to the communities of Mitchell's Plain, Phumlani, Mandalay, Browns Farm and Cross Roads."

The estimated population of 432 462 people that will be served by this hospital is a mix from different communities and of different socio-economic status. The hospital will have a total of 230 beds, and the design will allow for future expansion to 300 beds.

Inpatient services will cover:

• 60 Medical adult beds.
• 60 Surgical adult beds.
• 60 Obstetrics beds, including Kangaroo mother care.
• 30 Paediatrics beds.
• 20 Overnight beds.
• Accident and Emergency Unit.
• General Outpatients. 

The new hospital will provide district-level support to the Community Healthcare Centres of Cross Roads, Lentegeur, Mitchell's Plain and Rocklands as well as the primary healthcare facilities in the sub-district to ensure that patients receive care at the lowest level of entry into the healthcare system.
 
The referral regional and tertiary hospital for the hospital will be GF Jooste, Karl Bremer and Tygerberg Hospital respectively.

The site will be protected by an electrical fence, security booms and surveillance cameras.

The project has made use of environmentally friendly and sustainable materials and the orientation of the building has been such so as to maximise on site views and natural sunlight. Various interventions have been employed to reduce the carbon footprint and costs, as well as conserve energy, such as the use of time switches and movement and daylight sensors to avoid unnecessary burning of lights.

The design approach enhances the healing process. The goal is to create both a welcoming and functional facility that creates a "healing environment which aims to minimise stress in a clinical environment".

Robin Carlisle, Minister of Transport and Public Works, said: "At present the Western Cape Government is managing R8 billion worth of capital projects and upgrades, the most that this province has been working on at any given time in our history. It means that we aim to establish a health facility within easy travelling distance for every citizen, whether it be close to a train station or a taxi rank. In line with this aim, the ongoing maintenance of infrastructure remains a priority." 

Health infrastructure management directly supports the strategic goal by providing infrastructure that is centrally located to ensure accessible healthcare. It is designed to ensure the efficient and effective utilisation of both human and material resources and to function in an environmental friendly manner.