Second Phase of Paarl Hospital Revitalisation Project Completed

Paarl Hospital has been enjoying a total revitalisation, which includes new and improved services and areas. The hospital recently completed the second phase of its revitalisation project, nearly one year after the Minister for Health in the Western Cape, Theuns Botha, opened the hospital's new Emergency Centre.

Since this opening, Paarl Hospital has commissioned five new theatres, an eight-bed high-care unit, a new training centre, two lecture rooms and an auditorium seating 90 people. The hospital also renovated a 1921 building to accommodate its administration staff, renovated a six-floor 1952 block of wards and commissioned an Endoscopy Unit.

Before the opening of the Emergency Centre in 2010, Paarl Hospital also commissioned a state-of-the-art main kitchen, a new pharmacy, a new out-patient facility, a new linen bank, medical stores, a workshop, a mortuary and a Neonatal Unit.

Minister Botha says, "Now that the construction and renovations at Paarl Hospital are complete, this facility stands testimony to our commitment to improve the patient experience. This hospital certainly compares with the best public health facilities in the world. It is visually pleasing and planned according to patients' needs. It offers a variety of health services for our patients in the Winelands."

"Together with the new Forensic Pathology Unit in close proximity that we opened some weeks ago, this facility offers a variety of services, comfortable waiting rooms and state-of-the-art equipment. I want to invite our private hospital managers to visit the new Paarl Hospital and give me their impressions. This is a facility that does the Western Cape and its people proud."

Paarl Hospital offers specialist out-patient clinics and in-patient services to more than 600 000 people. It also serves patients who are referred from Swartland, Piketberg, Porterville, Citrusdal, Clanwilliam, Vredendal and Stellenbosch.

The facility will increase its bed capacity from 270 beds at the start of the project to 369 beds. The five theatres, an Endoscopy Unit and the Emergency Unit are complemented by specialist services such as Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Internal Medicine, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, General Surgery, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Urology, Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, Psychiatry and Anaesthesiology.

The revitalisation project started in May 2006 and this second phase was completed at the end of June 2011. Phase three of the project will see the building of a new 22-bed psychiatric ward in the next financial year.

Paarl Hospital has a dynamic group of allied health professionals that include Occupational and Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Radiography and Sonography, Social Workers and Pharmaceutical services. The hospital boasts a staff of just over 600 delivering a comprehensive health service to the community.