Netcare suspends and restricts visiting hours in light of severity of COVID-19 pandemic
Drickus Maartens • March 25, 2020
Extraordinary measures needed to protect healthcare teams and patients
As of this morning, visiting hours at Netcare
hospitals have been suspended, except in specific special circumstances, as a further precaution against the spread of COVID-19, Netcare announced.
“In light of the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, we needed to take extraordinary measures to protect all healthcare teams and our patients who cannot be discharged,” says Dr Richard Friedland, Netcare chief executive officer.
The following measures will apply:
1. All visiting hours for general wards, ICUs and the high care units will be suspended with immediate effect.
2. The only exceptions are as follows:
- Nurseries and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs): only ONE parent at a time is allowed to visit newborns in a nursery or NICU. This is on condition that the parent visiting has had no COVID-19 exposure and accepts that very strict infection prevention controls will be put in place to minimise the risks to their baby and other babies being cared for in these facilities. No grandparents and siblings will be allowed to visit.
- Paediatrics: Only ONE parent at a time is permitted to live in with an admitted child. This parent is required to have had no COVID-19 exposure and accepts that very strict infection prevention controls will be put in place to minimise the risks to their child and other children being cared for in our paediatric facilities. No grandparents and siblings will be allowed to visit.
- Gravely ill patients: an exception can be granted by the hospital general manager, as authorised by the regional director, in these instances. A minimal number of visitors will be granted this exception and they will be required to wear a mask.
“We thank families and friends of patients for their co-operation with regard to these measures in this unprecedented time and for their contribution to ensuring that we keep our most vulnerable loved ones safe,” Dr Friedland concluded.
As many as one in ten teenagers may self-harm, often in secret, concealing the scars or evidence of their injuries. As Teen Suicide Prevention Week approaches, Netcare Akeso is highlighting the often-hidden struggle of self-harm among young people.
With one in four South Africans affected by cancer, either directly or through a loved one’s diagnosis, the importance of regular screenings cannot be overstated.
This SunSmart Skin Cancer Awareness Month, oncologists Dr Sylvia Rodrigues and Dr Karen Motilall stress the importance of sun protection and regular screening for melanoma in South Africa's sunny climate.
Vitamin D is crucial for maintaining strong bones and a healthy immune system. Dr Jay Narainsamy, an endocrinologist and specialist physician, explains why too much can negatively impact your health.
As the holiday season kicks off, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the festive spirit and overlook potential medical emergencies. Dr Neville Vlok, a specialist emergency medicine physician practising in the emergency department at Netcare Unitas Hospital, highlights four health issues that could disrupt even the most carefully planned holiday celebrations.
Clinical oncologists Dr Sylvia Rodrigues and Dr Karen Motilall have been prescribing radiation treatments for their cancer patients requiring this treatment modality, with the Varian TrueBeam™ 4.0 linear accelerator (linac), for the past year and have seen the equipment’s versatility and advantages for patients.
Internationally renowned South African laparoscopic surgeon Professor Heine van der Walt was recently selected to demonstrate his minimally invasive surgical techniques for two highly complex procedures at the Global Digestive System Congress held in Rome, Italy.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men. In South Africa, it accounts for 13% of male deaths, with over 4,000 diagnoses annually.
A dedicated cardiac ward equipped with state of the art technology is contributing to the expansion of private specialised cardiac care services in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands at Netcare St Anne’s Hospital.
Dr Moaaz Valli Omar, a neurovascular interventional radiologist practising at Netcare Milpark Hospital, says greater public awareness is needed that stroke is a medical emergency, and that with prompt intervention at a comprehensive stroke facility more hopeful prognoses are possible.
