Western Cape Health reduces the amount of patient contact at its facilities
The Western Cape Department of Health has reduced the amount of patient contact at its facilities.
The decision comes as there has been a spike in
COVID-19 infections
In a statement, the department said that certain
non-emergency service will be scaled down.
Changes
in the current service delivery offering may include (depending on local
context):
·
Non-urgent outpatient appointments
will be postponed, and patients given alternative dates;
·
Non-urgent elective surgery
will be postponed, and patients provided with a later date;
·
Patients who are in hospital
but are stable will be discharged for further management at home or at an
intermediate care facility;
·
Outreaches from Districts and
Regional hospitals will be suspended; and
·
Patients are urged to only
access the Emergency Centre for emergencies. Non-emergencies to access
healthcare services at nearest clinic.
Emergency
services that will continue:
·
Emergency surgery;
·
Obstetric surgery;
·
High risk obstetric clinic;
·
Fracture clinic;
·
Limited eyecare and eye
surgery; and
·
Allied health for emergency
cases.
Scaled
down services at primary health care clinics:
·
Medication will be given for
longer periods where possible;
·
Outreaches will be postponed;
·
Non-urgent appointments will
be postponed and given an alternative date;
·
Dental services limited to
emergencies only;
·
Eyecare services limited to
emergencies only; and
The
following services will continue with strict safety protocols in place:
·
MOU’s (midwife obstetric
units) will continue to operate.
·
Limited medication delivery to
stable chronic patients;
·
Essential services will
continue, such as TB and HIV screening and treatment, chronic care, family
planning, immunisations, and antenatal and postnatal care;
‘’We understand this might be an inconvenience
to some, but it is important to remember why we are doing this – to ensure we
have sufficient capacity to provide emergency medical care to those with
life-threatening conditions and those who are admitted with COVID-19,’’ the
provincial health department said in a statement.
Should you have any queries, contact the
department’s call centre on 0860 142 142.
Done By: Mitchum George
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