News

New temporary emergency department open and providing emergency care to patients

Strict precautionary measures in place to safeguard patients and staff

Wednesday, May 27 2020

The new temporary emergency department at Netcare Parklands Hospital is up and running and providing emergency care for patients after opening on Sunday, 17 May, the general manager of the hospital, Fuad Salie, announced.

“Netcare Parklands Hospital obtained approval from the KZN DOH last year to upgrade and relocate its emergency department [ED], which was situated on the first floor of the hospital,” he says.

“The start of the new ED construction was, however, unavoidably halted due to the lockdown. As an interim measure, the hospital management decided to relocate the ED to a temporary facility outside the hospital. This proactive precautionary step is in line with the ‘abundance of caution’ approach adopted by Netcare to minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading into the hospital, as it will assist in reducing the number of people coming into the hospital, for the safety of all concerned.

Salie explains that strict precautionary safeguards are in place to maintain a safe environment in the ED, and there is no need to postpone seeking urgent and emergency medical care because people may be anxious or uncertain about whether it is safe to do so.

“Every person who visits our ED facility is risk assessed and, if indicated, is tested for COVID-19.  The new temporary ED is demarcated into different zones which enables staff and doctors, who are all wearing the necessary personal protective equipment, to attend to individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 separately and safely away from other patients, in order to minimise the risk of the spread of the virus. Infection prevention is further enhanced through continuous deep cleaning and disinfection of the ED.”

 “We thank the community for their patience during the temporary closure of the ED while the new temporary facility was being erected and equipped. We are pleased that we can once again offer emergency medical services to our community, with every precaution in place,” Salie concludes.

Ends

Issued by:            MNA on behalf of Netcare Parklands Hospital
Contact:    Martina Nicholson, Graeme Swinney, Meggan Saville or Estene Lotriet-Vorster
Telephone:    (011) 469 3016
Email:    [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]