WESTERN CAPE NEWS - To limit any potential risk of possible transmission of Covid-19, the Western Cape government continues to restrict in-hospital visits.
This is in line with the principles of social distancing to limit interaction.
Hospital visits
- No visitors to public health facilities. If you have any questions about visit restrictions, call the hospital in question to enquire.
- No person will be allowed inside Western Cape government health facilities without wearing a cloth mask, covering their nose and mouth.
- When accessing any of the facilities, you can expect to be asked a number of questions before entry will be permitted.
Amended services at hospitals
- Visits restricted.
- Non-urgent outpatient appointments will be postponed and patients given alternative dates.
- Non-urgent elective surgery will be postponed and patients provided with a later date.
- Patients who are in hospital but are stable, will be discharged for further management at home or at a step-down facility.
- Outreaches from district and regional hospitals will be suspended.
- Patients are urged to only access the Emergency Centres for emergencies. For non-emergencies, access healthcare services at the nearest clinic.
Emergency services that will continue
- Emergency surgery.
- Obstetric surgery.
- High risk obstetric clinic.
- Fracture clinic.
- Limited eyecare and eye surgery.
- Allied health for emergency cases.
Amended services at clinics
- Medication delivery to stable chronic patients will continue.
- Medication will be given for longer periods where possible.
- Outreaches will be postponed.
- Non-urgent appointments will be postponed and given an alternative date.
- Essential services will continue, such as TB and HIV screening and treatment, chronic care, family planning, immunisations and antenatal and postnatal care.
- Dental services limited to emergencies only.
- Eyecare services limited to emergencies only.
- MOU's (midwife obstetric units) will continue to operate.
Patients are encouraged to make an appointment before visiting a healthcare facility, by calling their local clinic.
The Coronavirus spreads where people gather, including at public health facilities. Only visit the clinic or hospital emergency centre when you really have to.
Always wear a clean cloth mask over your mouth and nose, and keep a distance of 1.5m from other people.
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