False Bay Hospital is undergoing key upgrades, including a redesigned Emergency Centre with a dedicated children’s resuscitation room.
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New details have emerged about the ongoing upgrades at False Bay Hospital - including confirmation that the redesigned Emergency Centre will feature a resuscitation room specifically designed for children.
According to Jihaan Opperman, communication officer for the Southern Western Sub-structures in the Department of Health and Wellness, the dedicated space will provide a safe and child-friendly environment for young patients.
"It will ensure they receive specialised care quickly, reduce stress for families, and allow medical staff to respond more efficiently in critical situations," Ms Opperman said.
Construction has already begun on the mental health unit and the medical records room, while work is currently underway on the pavement for the new ambulance bay.
The next phase will focus on the Emergency Centre and the Green Clinic.
"At present, ambulances share the hospital’s main entrance with members of the public, which can slow access to emergency care during busy periods," she said
Ms Opperman explained that the redesigned Emergency Centre will introduce a dedicated ambulance entrance, allowing paramedics to transfer patients directly into the resuscitation area without delay.
“This separation will ease congestion at the main entrance, improve patient flow, and significantly reduce the time between arrival and treatment,” she said.
A separate ambulance entry will also help ensure that non-emergency patients and visitors are not exposed to unnecessary distress.
The upgraded Green Clinic will provide a dedicated space within the facility to manage non-emergency, unbooked patients with minor or stable conditions.
"It will be located closer to the medical records room, enabling quicker and more efficient access to patient files and reducing delays in retrieving records. This is expected to shorten waiting times for patients receiving their folders," Ms Opperman said.
New consultation rooms will also enhance privacy, creating a more confidential and comfortable environment for patients during appointments.
Residents have asked whether the upgrades, new spaces and equipment will be matched by additional staffing. In response, Ms Opperman said the current works do not represent an expansion of services.
“The improvements are focused on streamlining patient flow, reducing waiting times, and ensuring dignified, private care for all patients,” she said.
She added that the upgrades will help decongest the main entrance, protect patients from unnecessary exposure to emergency situations, and improve access to paediatric and mental health care - all within the existing staffing framework.
With construction already visible and further phases scheduled, the project aims to improve how patients move through the hospital, reduce delays, and provide safer, more appropriate spaces for emergency, paediatric and mental health care.