New R35m psychiatric building for Paarl
Cape Town - Residents in Paarl and surrounding areas who need psychiatric services would now be able to access essential mental health services at the new state-of-the-art R35 million psychiatric building at Paarl Hospital, the Western Cape MEC for Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, has announced.
Mbombo, together with the Western Cape MEC for Transport and Public Works, Donald Grant, visited the new building on Wednesday.
Mental health was a critical issue in South Africa, and the new building which offered the best multi-disciplinary care for patients was a step in the right direction and would “assist in managing the high number of psychiatric patients at this facility,” Mbombo said.
She added: “This much needed upgrade to the Psychiatric Ward at the Paarl Hospital will now ensure that all mental health patients get enhanced care at this facility. We are determined to provide the best possible mental healthcare, treatment and rehabilitation services - equitably, efficiently and in the best possible interest of the mental healthcare user.”
The building, which has a design that encourages mental healing, has a new 30-bed ward, day areas, outdoor areas, four consulting rooms and service areas that would provide high-level care to patients.
The construction of the building, which started in October 2014 and is scheduled to be completed in March 2016, falls under the department of transport and public works.
According to Grant, it was a significant landmark for how “the Western Cape Government is committed to delivering quality health facilities, on time, where they are needed most”.
The new building, he said, was in line with the province’s five provincial strategic goals that would ensure service delivery in terms of government infrastructure and services.
African News Agency
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