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www.thevillagenews.co.za
22 April 2020
LET'S TALK
Business as usual for Overstrand Hospice The media are so focused on the current lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic that we sometimes forget that other health care services are continuing as normal. Overstrand Hospice is an essential service to the community and our nursing and care staff are on the frontline. We are currently caring for around 60 patients and their families providing counselling, pain and symptom management, and emotional and spiritual support, often in very difficult circumstances. The selfless devotion and commitment of our staff is an inspiration to us all. We also appreciate the close working relationship we have with the medical profession who are challenged with having to make tough decisions daily on prioritising their patient loads across the medical spectrum. The following statistics put our service into perspective: Overstrand Hospice receives between 10 and 15 new patients very month and sadly have to deal with a similar number of deaths over the same period. In the last 12 months we had around 170 patients who passed away. As of Monday, COVID-19 deaths in South Africa were still below 60, with just over 3 000 people so far testing positive. We foresee a growing need for bereavement counselling, already an essential part of our service, as the impact of the pandemic spreads in our
community. We provide all our services completely free to those who require them, and no-one is turned away. We receive no Government funding at all. All our income is from donations, bequests and fundraising events. However, the Hospice shop in Hermanus is the main source of income. It has been closed from the start of the lockdown and we are obviously concerned that this will have a significant impact on the medium-term sustainability of our vital service. We have had a significant number of people calling us wanting to donate items for the shop. This we really appreciate and we would ask you to hold on to your goods, which we will gratefully receive once the lockdown is over. With the onset of cooler weather, Overstrand Hospice has decided to support the Municipal Disaster Management effort by donating shop items of clothing. Earlier this week the staff and directors of the Hospice filled over 30 big bags of clothing which will be sorted and given out to the vulnerable members of our community. We are very grateful to our Councillor Kari Brice, the Mayor and the Fire Department for their assistance with this initiative. We appreciate that so many people are feeling the economic consequences of the
How to get tested for COVID-19 If you are experiencing symptoms and have reason to suspect that you may have been in contact with someone who is infected, there are three courses of action you could take:
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Contact your GP and complete a telephonic assessment. Do not go into the doctor’s office. If you have an appointment, remain in your vehicle and call the practice so that you can be attended to in your vehicle. Contact the COVID-19 risk-assessment team at Mediclinic Hermanus on 028 313 0168 / 082 785 5917 / 083 377 7843. You can also call the Mediclinic COVID-19 Hotline number on 0860 24 00 24. If you need to be tested, do not enter the facility. Park your vehicle at the Emergen-
With 50% of the world’s population in some form of lockdown, people all around the globe are turning to The Village NEWS (TVN) online for factual and comprehensive stories about the Overstrand and the Overberg. Read some of the over 3 000 articles on The Village NEWS website (thevillagenews.co.za), or follow our Facebook groups and pages for news updates. Love Instagram? Follow us on @thevillagenews. Or find everything in one place and get the My Village app (download on Google Play or App Store).
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cy Centre and call the hospital to inform them that you are there for a COVID-19 test. Remain in your vehicle, where you will be met by medical staff to complete documentation prior to testing. Contact your local hospital or clinic: Hermanus Provincial Hospital 028 312 1166 / 028 313 5200; CDC Clinic, Zwelihle 028 313 5700; Hawston Clinic 028 315 2063; Kleinmond Clinic 028 271 5807; Stanford Clinic 028 341 0945; Gansbaai Kliniek 028 384 1917. Follow the instructions you are given by the medical staff.
Hermanus Provincial Hospital and most clinics in the Overberg will conduct testing for free with results available in 72 hours. Mediclinic Hermanus delivers test samples
lockdown. However, for those who can, we would ask that you consider sponsoring or part sponsoring a nursing sister or a patient. The current average cost of the operation of each nursing sister is R15 000 per month and the cost per patient is in the region of R5 500 per month. Please note the following contact numbers: • Nursing support; Patient Care Manager Sister Esme Potgieter: 082 200 4233 • Financial donations/ bequests - Amor du Preez: 082 684 1798 • Shop queries - Petra Luttig, Shop manager: 076 509 3915 We thank everyone for their continued outstanding support. John Ross-Smith Chairman, Overstrand Hospice
to Pathcare for processing and results are available between 24 – 48 hrs. You will be contacted via WhatsApp (or email /telephonically if you prefer) with your test result. The cost of the test and screening procedure at the Mediclinic is covered by medical aid (PMB condition). If you have been advised that you need to be tested, your ID number, telephone number, email address and medical aid details will be required. The testing procedure itself takes around five minutes, following which a decision will then be made on whether to admit the patient or send them home for self-isolation until the results of the test are known. You are urged to adhere to all medical advice presented by the team during the assessment.
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