In his address at the official opening ceremony, Health MEC Theuns Botha said that the recently bolstered Emergency Medical Service (EMS) fleet now has two hundred and twelve (212) ambulances and this new emergency centre perfectly complements the Western Capes emergency services preparedness for the World Cup and thereafter. The Western Cape Department of Health has been preparing for this event since 2007 with a dedicated 2010 Unit. All the equipment and vehicles required for the event are in place, the upgraded aero-medical helicopters are in service and all FIFA designated hospitals are now on the EMS radio.
As a designated hospital for the World Cup, the Western Cape Department of Health has invested more than R25 million into the new emergency unit, boasting twenty four (24) beds, four (4) resuscitation bays and a paediatric emergency ward, a dedicated X-ray facility, nebulisation area and a central cardiac monitoring system. Additional equipment to the value of R 8.5 million has been contributed by corporate sponsors. These include a CAT scanner, medical equipment and furnishings for the paediatric ward.
On the future of New Somerset Hospital, Botha said, "This provincial government is proud to own this hospital. We plan to own this property in the years to come. There have been exploratory talks to possibly reassess and reallocate staff and resources to a hospital in the Du Noon area. New Somerset Hospital cannot and will not move. It is set to stay. The allocation of its resources is under discussion, but nothing is on the table as yet."
Construction work commenced in June 2009, and concluded at the end of March, in terms of FIFA specifications.
The emergency centre will be taking its first patients as from tomorrow, Friday, 30 April 2010.
Background information on Somerset Hospital:
Issued by:
Theuns Botha
Western Cape Minister for Health
Helene Rossouw
Media Liaison:
Western Cape Ministry of Health
Tel: 021 483 4426
Cell: 082 771 8834
Fax: 021 483 4143
Email: herossou@pgwc.gov.za