Regional hospital to add 28-bed psych unit
An in-depth overview of the multi-million-rand project, outlining the phases and the approval processes was recently provided to stakeholders.
Port Shepstone Regional Hospital held a critical stakeholder engagement session led by Mhlonipheni Zulu, a professional construction project manager from the Department of Public Works, last Monday.
The meeting focused on the upcoming construction of a new 28-bed psychiatric unit and provided a platform to discuss the project details and gather valuable feedback from local stakeholders.
Among those in attendance were the mayor of Ugu Municipality Sikhumbuzo Mqadi, representatives from the Santaco Business Unit, CEOs and senior management of local hospitals, officials and directors from the Ugu Health District, Port Shepstone High School management and members of the school governing body, members of Ray Nkonyeni Public Safety, the project architect, and the management team from the hospital.
Zulu provided an in-depth overview of the multi-million-rand project, outlining the phases and the approval processes it has undergone. He shared that the final approval stages involving the Department of Public Works, the Department of Health, and local municipalities are expected to be completed by the end of October.
Architectural details were presented by the professional architect Somers Govender and architectural technologist Kylin Sewparsath.
The modern, three-storey facility will include a ground floor with 71 undercover parking bays. The first floor will comprise office space and a boardroom.
The second floor will include a 28-bed psychiatric ward, a psychiatric outpatient department, security stations, a kitchen, a mini pharmacy, and a linen room, and the building will have a beautiful sea view.
The hospital’s PRO Phumza Morai said in line with the proposed building plans, they reassure the community that the psychiatric unit will continue to operate at a regional care level.
“One of the key advantages of the new facility will be its increased capacity to provide care for both male and female mental health patients. However, if a patient’s condition requires more specialised treatment, they will still be referred to Umzimkhulu Hospital, which focuses on advanced mental health care.”
Morai said the principal and board members of Port Shepstone High School raised concerns about potential disruption, including noise from high-impact drilling during school hours and increased congestion on Colley Street. Similarly, the Santaco Business Forum expressed concerns about the tender processes for the project.
“Strategies to mitigate these issues were openly discussed, and the mayor shared some insights around the tender processes and further suggested that continuous engagement with stakeholders would be critical to managing any future challenges that may arise.
The session concluded with a commitment to ongoing dialogue and collaboration. The hospital management and project team assured attendees that their feedback would be taken into account and that efforts would be made to address concerns efficiently.
This engagement represents a significant milestone in the development of the new psychiatric unit, which will enhance healthcare services while prioritising the needs and well-being of the surrounding community.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Fever’s Facebook page
