Major Hospital Project Completed In George | Western Cape Government

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Major Hospital Project Completed In George

23 July 2006

George Hospital A frontal view of the revitalised, 265-bed George Hospital that provides specialist medical care and services to the Southern Cape and Karoo regions.

A major revitalisation process has been completed at the George Regional Hospital recently. This major medical facility serves as a regional hospital for the Southern Cape and Karoo regions, as well as a district hospital for George itself. The project focused on the improvement of the hospital's infrastructure, technology and services to bring them in line with international standards.

The National Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tsabalala-Msimang, officially opened the revitalised section of the hospital during a glamorous ceremony that was hosted by the Provincial Department of Health.

All 550 000 residents of the Southern Cape and Karoo regions will benefit from this facility. Minister Msimang said that the National Revitalisation Programme's budget for the 2006/2007 financial year is R2 billion.

According to Project Manager Gerrit Kemp, key project objectives were the re-interpretation of a South African hospital - firstly, its social and architectural history, and secondly, moving in line with modern healthcare standards and technology as well as current healthcare practices and policies.

"The project was completed during April 2006. The original construction period was 24 months. After an increase in the scope of works the contract was extended to 32 months and amounted to a total cost of R152 908 909" he said.

Gerrit also mentioned that the design was an attempt to take into account the single most important aspect of the patients' experience of the complex. Keeping in mind that the patients will be removed from their everyday experience of life when visiting a hospital, it was important to consider factors such as detachment from friends and loved ones, a sense of confinement, loss of privacy and unfamiliar surroundings.

Enquiries:
Chris Prins
Manager: Communication
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 2132
Email: cwprins@pgwc.gov.za

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