Construction of Temporary Du Noon Clinic on Track

The conversion of the temporary Du Noon Clinic is nearing completion. By the end of next week the City of Cape Town Health will advise on the timeframe for patient services to commence at the clinic. Western Cape Health Minister, Theuns Botha, confirmed that conversion of the warehouse should be complete by the end of October as per the original plan. “Due to the complexities arising from the extraordinary nature of the construction on this project, some delays were incurred in the process of ensuring that the container units were of an acceptable level of finish, hence the slight delay in completion. We are aware that the City of Cape Town Health officials have been visiting the site regularly, and expect their arrangements are on track.” The facility will be ready for the City of Cape Town to commence their fit-out process next week, such moving in loose furniture and stock and installing network cables and telephones. The temporary facility infrastructure is being funded by Western Cape Government, and will be staffed and operated by the City of Cape Town.

The facility, while housed in an existing warehouse building, will include all the standard service components of a typical primary healthcare facility, which would include:

• Large patient waiting area
• Patient admissions area
• Universal access toilet facilities
• Women and child health unit with a secure outdoor play area
• Infectious diseases unit
• Pharmacy
• Observations, treatment, consulting and counselling rooms

Staff accommodation the facility will have a secure arrival forecourt with a covered waiting area for patients, as well as a small parking area. Status of permanent Du Noon Community Health Centre in Montague Gardens The site earmarked for the new permanent Du Noon Community Health Centre is in Mnandi Street, Du Noon, opposite the Killarney racetrack. The site is located close to the bus- and taxi-routes used by the people who commute daily from other parts of the metro to Montague Gardens and Killarney Gardens. Construction commenced in September 2012 and is set for completion in June 2014.

The facility will cover approximately 4000 square meters. It will be a full time facility operating 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Services will include:

• A comprehensive emergency unit
• pharmacy
• 8-bed maternity unit and6-bed kangaroo mother care unit
• Women and child health unit
• Infectious diseases unit
• Observations, treatment, consulting and counselling rooms
• Oral health unit (dentist)
• Medical imaging unit (x-ray)
• Social and psychiatric counselling
• Rehabilitation unit offering physio and occupational therapy