On Saturday, 19 April 2025, Tembisa Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) was affected by a fire, leading to significant changes in the way the public will access healthcare services at the hospital. While the hospital works to manage the aftermath of this incident, it is essential to keep the community informed and guide them on how best to continue receiving medical care.
In response to the fire, the hospital management has announced several changes to hospital operations to help ease patient access during this time.
Key Changes at Tembisa Hospital
1. Gate Access Adjustments: All patients and visitors are now advised to use Gate 4, which is the gate facing Zamokuhle Hospital. This change in access points is part of the hospital’s temporary adjustments to ensure smoother and more secure movement of people in and out of the hospital during the recovery process. Visitors are encouraged to adhere to the set visiting hours between 14:00 and 16:00.
2. Department Relocations: Certain departments have been relocated to alternative sites in response to the ongoing situation:
Surgical Outpatient Department (SOPD) patients will now be serviced at the Eye Clinic.
Medical Outpatient Department (MOPD) patients will be treated at the Gynaecology Outpatient Department (GOPD).
Family Medicine patients will be serviced at the Masakhane Clinic.
Gynaecology Outpatient Department (GOPD) patients will be seen at the Antenatal Clinic (ANC).
These temporary relocations will help to manage the flow of patients while ensuring that services continue to be offered despite the challenges presented by the fire.
3. Referral Process: Patients are encouraged to begin their treatment at their local clinics before visiting the hospital. Only patients with referral letters from their local clinics should come to the hospital. This adjustment is part of the hospital’s strategy to manage patient numbers and ensure that hospital services remain accessible without overwhelming the temporary spaces.
4. File Management: A key aspect of these changes involves how medical files are handled. Patients will now need to open their medical files at the designated clinics rather than directly at the hospital. This measure is intended to streamline the process and ensure that patient information is properly managed during this period.
Apology and Request for Patience
The Tembisa Hospital management team has expressed their sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused by the fire incident and the subsequent operational changes. They have also requested the cooperation of all patients and visitors during this period.
“We apologise for the inconvenience and request your patience and cooperation during this period,” the notice read. The hospital management has assured the public that they are working diligently to resolve the situation and restore full services as soon as possible.
Assistance for Patients
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the changes or need help navigating the new procedures, the hospital encourages you to approach staff members wearing hospital name tags or security personnel who will be available to assist.
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The Cause of the Fire and Evacuation
The exact cause of the fire at Tembisa Hospital is not yet clear, as investigations are currently underway. Authorities are working diligently to determine the cause and prevent future incidents. Fortunately, patients in the affected unit were safely evacuated, and no fatalities have been reported.
Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has reassured the public that, due to the proximity of the affected unit to the rest of the hospital, the main hospital traffic was not severely impacted. The fire was quickly contained, preventing further damage to the hospital’s infrastructure. However, despite the situation being under control, emergency services have expressed concerns about the surrounding informal settlement, as smoke from the hospital continues to billow in the area. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the safety of both hospital patients and local residents.
Looking Ahead
While the fire at Tembisa Hospital may have disrupted services temporarily, the management team is committed to ensuring that the public continues to receive essential healthcare services. The changes in access points and department relocations are vital steps in ensuring that the hospital can continue to serve its community despite the challenges.
As Tembisa Hospital works through this difficult situation, they remain committed to delivering quality healthcare. It’s important for the community to stay informed and follow the new guidelines to help ease the process for everyone involved.
Read More: Patients evacuated as Tembisa Hospital’s emergency unity up in flames
