Paarl residents, and specifically those residing in Groenheuwel, can look forward to the opening of a brand-new day hospital with construction to commence in 2026 depending on budget constraints.
This is according to Sandra Maritz, spokesperson of the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness.
While news has spread on the possibility of a Groenheuwel Day Hospital, rumours have also been doing the rounds that two clinics, one in Mbekweni and the other in Phola Park will close down as a result of the new day hospital.
However, Maritz confirmed in her email to Paarl Post that this is not the case and the clinics and their employees will (“for now”) live to see another day.
“Social media and other messages stating that facilities will close now are untrue,” she stated. “Services continue as usual.”
It is therefore not yet clear whether the two clinics will remain open for a certain period, be closed down at a later stage, or whether it will remain open indefinitely.
Paarl Post reached out to Maritz for clarity, who stated that currently the clinics will remain open, but it “could” change in the future.
“In future, changes could be made to the package of services we [the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness] deliver at the different facilities, depending on the community’s needs, the burden of disease of the specific geographic area, and available resources.”
Maritz stated that the affected community will however be notified in good time.
“Communities continue to grow, and to give more residents easier access to healthcare Western Cape [department of] health and wellness plans to build a community day centre (a “day hospital”) in Groenheuwel – an area central to the communities of Dalvale, Mbekweni and Phola Park.”
According to Maritz current services will continue “as usual” with the provincial health and wellness department to share more details about the day hospital in “due course”.
It is not clear yet where in Groenheuwel the day hospital will be built, but members of the public must be alert to future announcements.
