Staff and patients at Vredendal Hospital were temporarily evacuated from the facility due to a fire that broke out on Sunday 29 May at 03:45. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is being investigated. Department of Health spokesperson Leensie Lötter said local fire and rescue services arrived on the scene at approximately 03:50.
“In line with the hospital’s fire emergency plan, all wards and the emergency centre were evacuated. Patients in Wards A and C and the emergency centre returned to the wards once it was declared safe for occupation by fire and rescue services. Patients who were treated in Ward B will now be accommodated in a newly renovated ward at the hospital that was not affected by the fire”, Lötter said.
Lötter said that the West Coast district management team was notified of the fire on Sunday and assisted with the safe evacuation of all patients and staff.
“Transfer of patients to other facilities have not been necessary at this point. Should patients need transfers to other facilities due to the fire and subsequent loss of beds, the families of these patients will be contacted by the hospital management to keep them updated.”
She added that residents of Matzikama sub-district in need of emergency care can still go to the hospital for assistance. The emergency centre has not been affected by the fire and normal emergency services will continue.
“The extent of the damage caused by the fire will be assessed by the respective authorities and a time frame for the repairs and restoration will be established and communicated accordingly.
“The cause of the fire will be confirmed by local authorities pending an official investigation.”
Lötter concluded and said that the hospital management thanks local fire and rescue services for their swift response and all staff and patients for their co-operation during the evacuation of the facility. “We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the evacuation.”
Any enquiries regarding patients can be referred to the hospital on 027 213 2039.
