Care centre opens its doors to visitors

As South Africa Embraces level four lockdown, Edenvale Care Centre Hospice staff are hard at work caring for patients in need.

Throughout, the lockdown staff at the centre have cared for patients who suffer from end-stage renal and cardiac failure, hypertension, strokes, diabetes one and two, cancer, HIV/Aids, TB and multi-drug resistant TB.

At the start of the lockdown, the centre decided to stop admissions and not allow visitors on the property.

This decision was made to protect the patients whose immune systems are compromised.

Sr Leigh, from the centre, said with the announcement of level four, the centre lifted its restrictions.

“We now have a full waiting list and are taking patients in again and visitors are now allowed.”

Leigh said patients from provincial hospitals are only granted admission if they have tested negative for Covid-19 and have the necessary paperwork to prove it.

“Not allowing family members to visit patients was very hard on them.”

Leigh said only a limited number of visitors are allowed in the ward for a short period.

“Anyone who visits the centre will have their temperature tested and need to sanitise. In addition to the hospice being open to admission and visitors, it is also open to donations. The churches in the area have continued to assist us, but the lockdown has affected us financially.”

Phone 011 454 5358 to learn how you can assist the centre.