Construction of a brand-new Emergency Centre (EC) at Robertson Hospital is complete, and it opened its doors this week on 1 April, by the Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger. Built in record time, just 10 months, this R17,3 million investment will double the capacity for emergency care at the hospital.
“This new facility marks a significant step forward in enhancing emergency care in Robertson,” said Minister Wenger. “It reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred healthcare and our urgency in meeting community needs. In just 10 months, we have built a new Emergency Centre to serve the people of Robertson and surrounding areas. Our goal is to be a responsive and compassionate government – one that prioritises the well-being of every resident.”
Enhanced Patient Experience
The construction and capital build programme aims to deliver high quality buildings, renovations and refurbishments with service specific design and maximising patient healing and care. This includes ventilation and natural lighting, in conjunction with the best available health technologies. This new emergency centre boasts a larger, well-ventilated waiting area, complete with air-conditioning and its own dedicated ablution facilities. This ensures patients and visitors have a more comfortable and private experience.
“We believe the new Emergency Centre is just the spark for the future infrastructure renewal which is needed at Robertson Hospital and to improve the quality of care for our communities accessing care,” Handri Liebenberg, Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness Director, Cape Winelands.
The previous emergency centre had only four beds, with one designated for resuscitation. The new unit, however, doubles this capacity with seven treatment beds, allowing for quicker response times.
In addition to these seven beds, the facility also includes two resuscitation beds, and a separate room dedicated to triage and procedures with new technology and equipment to improve patient care.
The centre’s design also optimises the workflow for staff, offering more workspace and adequate storage for medical equipment and supplies.
The staff, which includes four nurses per shift, administrative personnel, porters, and three doctors, are now better positioned to meet the increasing demand for emergency care.
Currently, the emergency centre sees around 2 400 patients each month. Upon arrival, a trained nurse assesses the patient’s condition through triage, prioritising care for those with life-threatening conditions. Patients are classified by the South African triage colour coded system to ensure timely care:
• Red: Life-threatening conditions – immediate attention
• Orange: Serious but non-life-threatening conditions – urgent attention
• Yellow: Less serious conditions – seen as soon as possible
• Green: Minor conditions – addressed after more urgent cases.
“The new space was designed with both the clinical workload and the needs of our healthcare workers and patients in mind,” said Dr Nellis Beyers, Medical Manager for the Langeberg area at Western Cape Government Health and Wellness.
“A well-organised workspace not only boosts staff morale but also improves patient care. We are confident that this temporary solution will make a lasting difference in how we deliver emergency care.”
With the opening of this Emergency Centre, Robertson Hospital is better equipped to serve its community, providing improved care for patients while ensuring a more efficient and supportive environment for healthcare staff.
