North West Health MEC, Dr. Magome Masike will tomorrow open a Step down unit at Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex. The Step down unit caters for patients who after undergoing intensive care may need prolonged nursing and other supportive care before they are fit to be discharged.
The 36 bed unit is open to both male and female patients needing step down care. It will be managed by a team of health professionals including doctors, nurses, support staff and counselors.
The hospital complex has a high bed occupancy rate of 90%-96% due to the burden of diseases. This results in the increase of the average length of stay of patients to eight days, whereby acute hospital beds will be over serviced catering for sub-acute patients.
The Department of Health recognised the need for step down care as one of the several responses to the plight by releasing beds for acute care to avoid pressure on hospital beds. The ultimate aim is to ensure equity, improve accessibility and render affordable and sustainable services without compromising quality.
MEC Masike will also launch a research unit to be jointly carried out with the University of Witwatersrand.
Members of the media are invited to attend the opening ceremony.
Venue: Tshepong Hospital’s Lida Baytell Hall
Time: 10h00.
Enquiries:
Ngwako Motsieng (Media Liaison Officer)
Cell: 082 964 8838
E-mail: nmotsieng@nwpg.gov.za
