Patient Notice – 2 January 2021

The rapid spread of COVID-19 around the world, including the Republic of South Africa, requires us to constantly review and evaluate all measures that we have in place to combat the pandemic and to meet the pressure that the second surge of cases has presented.

There is a marked increase in patients coming to our facilities that require urgent care and a high demand for ICU beds, ventilators and oxygen delivery modalities. This has resulted in (amongst others):
1. The increased risk of contracting COVID-19 while at our hospital facilities
2. The increased risk for patients requiring surgery who have tested positive for COVID-19
3. Changes in the coordination of care due to the pandemic response and the possible scarcity of resources such as ICU bed capacity or ventilator availability.

It is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of the risks of contracting COVID-19 while in our hospital facilities, however all precautions have been taken to minimise the infection risk through strict adherence to the National Department of Health Infection Prevention Guidelines and the recommendations of the World Health Organisation. All persons in a Busamed facility are required to ensure a face mask is correctly worn at all times, hand hygiene is complied with and social distancing maintained. In order to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to protect our patients and staff, visitors are not allowed into the hospital.

All of our hospitals have a clinical committee comprising of specialised doctors and hospital management. Based on International triage and transition of care guidelines, local best practice and the Specialist’s clinical expertise the committee reviews the care requirements, availability and use of resources and treatment modalities. We are cogniscant that due to the unprecedented demands of the second surge the availability of beds, intensive care, equipment and treatment modalities is severely impacted and the hospital capacity may not meet the demand. However, the clinicians, nurses and other healthcare workers will continue to provide the best possible care in the given situation.

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all our frontline staff, doctors, nurses and support staff who have been in the forefront of assisting and caring for our patients during these difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of precautions have been put in place at each of our hospital facilities to minimise risk to our doctors and staff and we continue to work closely with the National Department of Health.

We appreciate your understanding, patience and co-operation as we continue to ensure that, despite these challenging times, our patients receive premium care.

Sincere Regards
The Busamed Group
For any media enquires please contact Taryn Laas on the following details:
TarynL@Busamed.co.za or Mobile: +27 82 772 1337