New Worcester Regional Hospital Trauma Unit
A new trauma unit of the Worcester Regional Hospital has opened its doors to the people of the Western Cape. The hospital serves as both a regional hospital for the Boland-Overberg region as well as a district hospital for Worcester itself.
The trauma unit is the first in a series of four facilities that will be completed as part of a revitalisation project for the entire hospital complex. Soon to follow will be a new training centre, hospital main kitchen, new sterilisation department as well as a renovated 4-storey ward block.
This 1272 m2 facility was built over a period of 14 months at a cost of R7.7 million and will serve the local community as well as more serious trauma cases of the larger Boland-Overberg region. The unit comprises of the following facilities:
- Secure entrance with dedicated waiting areas
- Triage area
- Two bed resuscitation area
- Open plan yet dedicated treatment areas to handle surgical, medical and paediatric patients
- Plaster of paris room
- Dedicated trauma x-ray facility
Members of the public works team standing in front of the new trauma unit.
In total an amount of R53 million has been certified to cover the entire hospital project, of which 50% of material was locally sources. Construction involves 100% unskilled local labour and 80% skilled local labour. Management and supervision are at 60% local and 40% from various external sources. The main contractor, Ubuntu, has an average of 90 workers on site, with an additional 65 workers from various subcontracting firms. The main constructor has a 70% black economic empowerment share holding. Building materials such as bricks, sand, cement, stone, filling material for civil works and mixed concrete are all sourced locally. A large percentage of electrical, plumbing, timber and ceiling material are also procured from local dealers.
On instruction from the Department of Health, this facility was planned within the Department of Health's 2010 Health Facility Infrastructure Development Plan and in relation to the District Health System in the Boland-Overberg Region.
Members of the public works team inside the new trauma unit.
The single most important aspect for the design team was the patients' experience of the facility. Taking into account that the patient will be removed from their every day life when admitted to a trauma facility, it was important to consider factors such as personal dignity, loss of privacy and detachment from friends and loved ones. This, together with the trauma of serious injury may enhance acute emotional distress. The design was an attempt to solve the integration of image, technology, scale , appearance, natural light and staff efficiency.
Enquiries:Chris Prins
Manager: Communication
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 2132
Email: cwprins@pgwc.gov.za
