In line with the Western Cape Department of Health's upgrade of equipment at all emergency units, the False Bay Hospital acquired a defibrillator machine worth R71 000.
Dr Joey Cupido, deputy head of the provincial Department of Health, says, "As part of improving the quality of healthcare delivered by our province, we are constantly analysing our services and the complaints and inputs we receive from patients. One of the focus areas for 2010/11 to 13 is the upgrading and revitalisation of Emergency Centres. At present we are conducting an audit of equipment in our emergency centres." This audit will cover the province's 34 district hospitals and nine 24 hour clinics.
The upgrading and revitalisation of Emergency Centres essentially focuses on the training of emergency staff, the improvement of hospital infrastructure, and the upgrade of essential technological equipment.
The provincial health budget is dependant on contributions from the private sector and the department welcomes the donation from linen company, Pres Les (Pty) Ltd who contributed the defibrillator as part of their corporate social responsibility contribution. The donation was facilitated by the False Bay Hospital Association, a volunteer fundraising body that assists the hospital with smaller services such as food parcels, clothing and toiletries for staff and a daily tea trolley for patients.
Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, visited the hospital today to thank the donours, Pres Les (Pty) Ltd, for their generous donation. The machine has been in use in the hospital since the beginning of this month, and has already facilitated the resuscitation of 30 people. The defibrillator delivers a therapeutic dose of electrical energy to the heart and restores its normal rhythmic patterns and revives the patient. The machine in effect kicks the heart into action again, causing it to resume sending blood throughout the body. The defibrillator machine not only saves lives, but is also equipped with a pacing ability to assist the increasing of the heart rate when the heart is beating too slowly.
Information about False Bay Hospital:
- False Bay is a district hospital providing health services to Fish Hoek, Simon's Town, Ocean View, Masiphumelele, Noordhoek, Kalk Bay, St. James, Glencairn, Red Hill and Scarborough
- The facility manager is Dr Rob Martell
- The staff complement is 170
- The hospital has 65 beds
- There are immediate upgrade plans for the reception area
- On average, the hospital serves between 4 000 and 5 000 patients a month, while the Emergency Centre attends to more than 1000 patients a month
For interviews contact:
Mr Alan Rose-Innes
Chair of the hospital facility board
Tel: 021 782 4279
Cell: 073 559 6097
Fax: 021 782 4279
Helene Rossouw
Tel: 021 483 4426
Cell: 082 771 8834
Fax: 021 483 4143
E-mail: herossou@pgwc.gov.za
