Service Delivery at New Somerset Hospital During the FIFA World Cup™

With the FIFA World Cup™, the Department of Health is adjusting visiting hours and some operational functions at New Somerset Hospital (NSH), to accommodate international visitors and the public on Cape Town match days only.

Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, pointed out that the Provincial Department of Health had a structured plan in place for World Cup 2010. "The provincial department have been planning these changes over the long three (3) year preparation period, and have tried to make as little changes as possible to the daily operations of our health facilities. I want to assure our patients that the schedule changes are only for the World Cup period, and the changes have been made to cause the least disruption to our patients."

Botha added, "World Cup 2010 is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our province, our city and our people. We have already benefited from the major upgrade of our emergency centre at New Somerset Hospital, and with that the development of the precinct around the hospital."

Given its proximity to Cape Town Stadium, the need for the change in times, operations and other services were due to the earmarking of NSH as a FIFA designated hospital. Services at NSH will only be affected on the following dates 11, 14, 18, 21, 24, 29 June and 03 & 06 July. Services on non match days and thereafter will resume as normal.

Services on match days will change accordingly:

Outpatients will continue as normal, but will close at 14:00 on 11, 14, 18, 24, 29 June and 06 July where the match starts at 20:30.

On 04 July, Outpatients will be deferred, due to the match starting at 13:30. Services at the Antenatal clinics will be deferred on match days and patients will be given alternate dates at the clinic. The fracture clinic for Monday 14 and 21 June will be moved to Tuesday, 15 and 22 June. Emergency surgery will continue as normal and elective surgery will be cancelled from 6 June to 11 July and patients will be given alternate dates.

The Emergency and Obstetric theatres will operate as normal.

All maternity case referrals from Hanover Park Maternity Obstetric Unit (MOU), Vanguard MOU, Wesfleur Hospital and Vredenburg Hospital booked and un-booked cases will continue as normal.

Specialist staff have been scheduled for all match days and will be on site.

Visiting hours at NSH will be changed as follows:

• Matches on 11, 14, 18, 24, 29 June, visiting hours will be from 11:30am to 12:30pm.
• The match on 21 June, visiting hours will be from 19:00pm to 20:00pm.
• The match on 03 July, visiting hours will be from 10:00am to 11:00am.

Health facilities in Vanguard and Green Point have also been catered for and will operate as follows on Cape Town match days only.

Vanguard Community Health Centre (CHC) and MOU:
The Vanguard Community Health Centre will divert trauma, medical emergencies and paediatric cases to Victoria Hospital. Obstetrics and Neonate cases will be referred to Somerset Hospital as usual.

Green Point CHC:
The Green Point Community Health Centre will close at 12pm on 11, 14, 18, 24, 29 June and 06 July. On Monday, 21 June the CHC will be closed and patients, if necessary, are advised to attend Robbie Nurock CHC in the City Centre (Buitenkant Street).

Patients and visitors need to be aware of the impact that these times will have on their hospital visits or appointment. The department of Health would like to stress that patrons to fan parks and other mass gatherings to practice good hygiene and not to smoke at any of the Public viewing areas.

Issued by:
Directorate Communications
Western Cape Department of Health