Date: 21/08/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Healthcare professionals & community leaders, Beaufort West
EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, ADDRESSING HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AT THE BEAUFORT WEST HOSPITAL, 21 August 2003
Historically, quality, affordable healthcare for our rural communities in the Western Cape was not a priority for government. The NNP/ANC Provincial Government of the Western Cape understands that the idea of a World Class Province which Cares for all its people is based on the premise that all its citizens have access to the most basic of services that will improve the quality of their lives. This is why health, and the delivery of health services to all our communities, is one of the key priorities of our provincial government.
Since opening its doors on 5 February 1927 as the Provincial General Hospital, Beaufort West Hospital has stood as a proud testament to not only the fundamental changes the medical profession has undergone, but also the transformation of the South African society. Much has changed since it opened its doors with 17 beds, 14 for whites and 3 for those classified as non-whites at that time. The move to the new premises, now with 57 beds, which was opened in November 1956, was brought about by the growing demand for medical services and an increase in patient numbers. 1995 saw the start of the upgrading of all departments a project, which was finalised in 1999.
Since its establishment Beaufort West Hospital has made an important contribution, to the overall medical care in the Central Karoo, rendering services to towns like Murraysburg, Nelspoort, Leeu-Gamka and Merweville. Its location has also assisted with the treatment of a large number of trauma patients who are the victims of motor vehicle accidents on this busy stretch of road. A lack of capacity however, has meant that many of these patients have needed to be transported to the bigger provincial hospitals.
I am proud today to see the progress of the more than R3 million capital works program that is currently under way, which includes a new administration block, a district pharmacy, the upgrading of trauma rooms and other wards and security measures, and a planned facility for patients and families in transit. With these improvements and upgrades, Beaufort-West Hospital will play an even more prominent role as an advanced medical institution that provides quality, yet affordable healthcare to our communities in the Central Karoo.
Increasingly our ability to render quality healthcare services is affected by the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS, the alarming increase in TB cases and the rising cost of medical equipment and medication. Despite these challenges, the Provincial Government of the Western Cape remains determined to render a service that compares with the best around the world. In order to address the current situation of increasing needs and smaller budgets, our Provincial Department of Health has adopted a strategy called HealthCare 2010.
In essence HealthCare 2010 is about the need to treat patients at the most appropriate level of care with its focus on the best location for healthcare facilities throughout the Western Cape in both our urban and rural areas, i.e. through our primary health facility revitalisation programme freeing our academic hospitals to focus on more serious cases.
The success of HealthCare 2010 by and large depends on the support we get from our dedicated doctors, nurses and administrators at our 242 permanent clinics, 130 mobile units and our 64 community health centres in the province. Critical also to the success of HealthCare 2010 is the patience and understanding of the people of the Western Cape.
The Beaufort-West Hospital revitalisation programme is therefore of great importance in ensuring that rural healthcare in our province is delivered at the highest levels of quality, and for the people of Beaufort-West and the surrounding areas it is part of our promise to create the World Class Province which Cares for all its people.
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp on 083-778-9923
Issued by Western Cape Provincial Government
21 August 2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Healthcare professionals & community leaders, Beaufort West
EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, ADDRESSING HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AT THE BEAUFORT WEST HOSPITAL, 21 August 2003
Historically, quality, affordable healthcare for our rural communities in the Western Cape was not a priority for government. The NNP/ANC Provincial Government of the Western Cape understands that the idea of a World Class Province which Cares for all its people is based on the premise that all its citizens have access to the most basic of services that will improve the quality of their lives. This is why health, and the delivery of health services to all our communities, is one of the key priorities of our provincial government.
Since opening its doors on 5 February 1927 as the Provincial General Hospital, Beaufort West Hospital has stood as a proud testament to not only the fundamental changes the medical profession has undergone, but also the transformation of the South African society. Much has changed since it opened its doors with 17 beds, 14 for whites and 3 for those classified as non-whites at that time. The move to the new premises, now with 57 beds, which was opened in November 1956, was brought about by the growing demand for medical services and an increase in patient numbers. 1995 saw the start of the upgrading of all departments a project, which was finalised in 1999.
Since its establishment Beaufort West Hospital has made an important contribution, to the overall medical care in the Central Karoo, rendering services to towns like Murraysburg, Nelspoort, Leeu-Gamka and Merweville. Its location has also assisted with the treatment of a large number of trauma patients who are the victims of motor vehicle accidents on this busy stretch of road. A lack of capacity however, has meant that many of these patients have needed to be transported to the bigger provincial hospitals.
I am proud today to see the progress of the more than R3 million capital works program that is currently under way, which includes a new administration block, a district pharmacy, the upgrading of trauma rooms and other wards and security measures, and a planned facility for patients and families in transit. With these improvements and upgrades, Beaufort-West Hospital will play an even more prominent role as an advanced medical institution that provides quality, yet affordable healthcare to our communities in the Central Karoo.
Increasingly our ability to render quality healthcare services is affected by the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS, the alarming increase in TB cases and the rising cost of medical equipment and medication. Despite these challenges, the Provincial Government of the Western Cape remains determined to render a service that compares with the best around the world. In order to address the current situation of increasing needs and smaller budgets, our Provincial Department of Health has adopted a strategy called HealthCare 2010.
In essence HealthCare 2010 is about the need to treat patients at the most appropriate level of care with its focus on the best location for healthcare facilities throughout the Western Cape in both our urban and rural areas, i.e. through our primary health facility revitalisation programme freeing our academic hospitals to focus on more serious cases.
The success of HealthCare 2010 by and large depends on the support we get from our dedicated doctors, nurses and administrators at our 242 permanent clinics, 130 mobile units and our 64 community health centres in the province. Critical also to the success of HealthCare 2010 is the patience and understanding of the people of the Western Cape.
The Beaufort-West Hospital revitalisation programme is therefore of great importance in ensuring that rural healthcare in our province is delivered at the highest levels of quality, and for the people of Beaufort-West and the surrounding areas it is part of our promise to create the World Class Province which Cares for all its people.
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp on 083-778-9923
Issued by Western Cape Provincial Government
21 August 2003
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