Netcare is looking to sell the 60-bed Netcare Bougainville Hospital in Pretoria West, which first opened its doors in 1997.
Commenting on the development Johan Smal, regional director of Netcare’s North East region, said unless a suitable buyer were found, the hospital would close its doors on 30 April 2022.
In outlining the reasons for the closure of the facility, Smal said that Netcare’s hospital division continually conducted strategic reviews of its asset portfolio and that Netcare Bougainville Hospital was identified as an under-performing facility for a sustained period.
“The hospital’s under-performance has prevailed from before COVID-19, and this was further exacerbated by the adverse effects of the pandemic, in the past 24 months. These and other circumstances have rendered it uneconomical to retain Netcare Bougainville Hospital in the current business environment.
“We have been in consultation with staff, doctors and facility management to notify them that the hospital may have to close. In addition the Department of Health, unions and other key stakeholders have been kept firmly updated on developments,” he added.
Sydney Masalla, general manager of Netcare Bougainville Hospital, has confirmed there are at present only three resident specialists on site at the hospital, who also work at other facilities.
“In addition, we have only 37 active staff, with whom we are in discussion regarding viable alternative employment options.”
Smal concluded by thanking patients, doctors, staff as well as healthcare service providers for their support through the years, stating that they were an integral part of the history of Netcare Bougainville Hospital and the greater South African landscape. “I am confident we will continue working together, as we have in the past, in other Netcare facilities – this is therefore not farewell,” he said.
Issued by Netcare Bougainville Hospital