CAPE TOWN – False Bay Hospital has embarked on an ambitious 18-month renovation project aimed at transforming the 60-year-old facility to better serve communities from Simon’s Town to Masiphumelele.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness announced comprehensive upgrades designed to create a safer, more comfortable and efficient environment for patients and staff while ensuring uninterrupted patient care throughout the construction period.
Major improvements underway
Construction has already commenced on the Mental Health Unit and Medical Records Room, with work currently progressing on paving for the new ambulance bay, said the spokesperson of the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness’ s South-Western Sub-structures, Jihaan Opperman.
The next phase of the project will focus on the Emergency Centre and the Green Clinic. ” At present ambulances share the main entrance with the general public, which can slow access to emergency care down in busy periods,” Opperman said. “The redesigned Emergency Centre will introduce a dedicated ambulance entrance, enabling paramedics to transfer patients needing emergency care directly into the resuscitation area without delays.”
Key developments include: creating a dedicated, secure space for mental health care users, upgrading the Green Clinic within the Outpatients Department, and completely reconfiguring the Emergency Centre with improved patient flow systems.
The redesigned Emergency Care Unit will feature a dedicated ambulance entrance, enabling paramedics to transfer emergency patients directly into the resuscitation area without delays.
“This separation will ease congestion at the main entrance and significantly reduce time between arrival and treatment,” Opperman added.
Enhanced patient experience
The Emergency Centre will include a specialised paediatric resuscitation room, providing a safe, child-friendly environment that reduces stress for young patients and families while enabling more efficient critical care response.
The upgraded Green Clinic will manage non-emergency, unbooked patients with minor conditions in a dedicated space located closer to the medical records room, allowing quicker access to patient files and shorter waiting times.
New consultation rooms will enhance privacy, providing more confidential and comfortable environments for patient consultations.
Community commitment
Dr Kaashiefah Adamson, senior family physician, said: “Patient care will continue uninterrupted during the multi-phased renovation period. This investment signals real commitment to public health care in the South Peninsula.”
Hospital CEO Dr Stanley Makondele Rambiyana highlighted the project’s necessity: “These improvements will allow us to respond better to growing healthcare needs, improve patient flow and safety, and create a more supportive environment for both patients and staff.”
The renovation addresses lessons learnt from Covid-19 pandemic patient management, growing mental-health demands and the need to accommodate increased patient volumes more effectively while incorporating modern health technologies. The renovation will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption to existing hospital services. Any updates or changes to the information above will be officially communicated by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness.
