Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital's R13 Million Upgrade Unveiled

Western Cape Health Minister, Theuns Botha, today introduced the R13 million's worth of upgrades at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, which has now transformed the ward into the only specialised paediatric Burns Unit in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The old C2 ward where burns were treated was a completely normal ward that had been adapted over the years for the needs of burns patients, but it was not ideal. There were upgrades in 2003, 2006, 2008 and 2010.

Although the unit is now larger - 603 square metres in total - the upgrades do not comprise a growth in capacity, but in specialisation. Six of the 22 beds are now isolation cubicles.

Minister Botha said that the new unit will offer a better hospital experience to patients and the carers, who are already highly traumatised when they get there. "Now we can ensure better patient outcomes and increased emotional support. The isolation cubicles and temperature control will significantly reduce the risk of cross-infection."

The unit for paediatric burns is one the various single-site services that make this hospital one of a kind. This hospital treats 3 500 burns patients a year.

Minister Botha said Emeritus Professor Heinz Rode was appointed as the manager of the unit. He is an internationally acclaimed burns expert and has vast expertise and experience. He is supported by three specialists, 27 nurses and a dietitian, an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, social worker, stomaltherapist and a voluntary art and music therapist.

Challenges for the unit remain the shortage of specialists in the treatment of burns wounds, as well as nurses.

Psychological rehabilitation requires attention. "There is currently a social worker allocated to wards but many burns patients do not come back to complete their psychological rehabilitation. Once the patient goes back into the community, they are ostracised and often hidden away. Currently there is no post that rehabilitates the patients psychologically. Also, the majority of burns patients are from poor areas so it requires a psychologist who is fluent in many languages."

"The art therapy, music therapy and play therapy are currently unfunded and run on a voluntary basis. As a result, it is sporadic. It needs to become permanent," said Minister Botha.

He said the Western Cape Provincial Government is proud to boast South Africa's only dedicated children's hospital in their portfolio of health facilities. "The hospital plays a vital role as the 'end of referral chain' for large areas of the country. It delivers a significant service to patients from other provinces and other African countries."

The hospital is funded via Provincial Equitable Share (PES), National Tertiary Services Grant (NTSG) and Health Professions Teaching and Development Grant (HPTDG). The current year's budget for this hospital is R463 million out of a R13 395 billion provincial health budget.