Wentworth Hospital - Wentworth, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

State Hospitals - Wentworth Hospital - Wentworth, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Wentworth is a district hospital in the eThekwini health district.

Wentworth Hospital services the following catchment areas:- Hillary, Seaview, Wentworth, Austerville, Yellowwood Park, Chesterville, Cato Manor, Bluff, Clairwood, Montclair, Jacobs, Lamontville, Umbilo, Woodlands and Merebank. Wentworth Hospital operates on a referral system with patients being referred via their local clinics or regional hospitals.

Wentworth Hospital is unique in that it boarders on a nature reserve. In January 2003, Dr. A. Reddi – Head of Department of the Cardio-thoracic Surgery (now based at Inkosi Albert luthuli Central Hospital) undertook a project to list all the indigenous trees found on the premises of Wentworth Hospital. The objective was to label these trees with the KwaZulu Natal conservation Service tags nailed onto them for easy identification, hopefully increasing awareness and appreciation. Each tag cost +- R6.00, the cost was borne was the Cardio-thoracic Surgery Department before they transferred.

Furthermore, one of the most notable aspects about our hospital, as soon as one enters the grounds, is the site of the monkey population who reside in the nature reserve bordering on the hospital, who visit the hospital daily.

Services offered at Wentworth hospital

• Accident and Emergency Services
• Dietetics department
• Family Medicine
• Medical Library
• Occupational Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Psychiatric Services
• Psychology
• Social Work

Out Patient Department -OPD (07H00 to 16H00)

This department sees patients who are on referral from the local clinics, general practitioners and other hospitals. It is opened from Monday to Friday. Closed on weekends.

ARV Clinic (Masibambisane Clinic) 07H00 to 16H00./dt>

This clinic offers VCT and ARVs. Patients are also educated on disclosure, positive living and the importance of eating a proper diet. It is opened from Monday to Friday.

Choice of Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Hours of work: 07H00 - 16H00 Monday –Friday. The Choice of Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) clinic only sees patients who are up to twelve (12) weeks pregnant. Pre and post counselling is given to patients. This clinic does not operate on a referral system.

Dental Clinic (07H00-16H00)

The clinic educate patients on oral health, treat dental pains, extract teeth and initiate brushing programmes at schools.

Pharmacy Department (07H30 – 16H00)

The pharmacy dispenses medication to the patients.

TB Clinic

Hours of service: 07h00-16h00 Monday—Friday Head: Sr. Mbatha -TB Co-ordinator
Identification:
TB identification is done by way of community advocacy and educational campaigns. The community is informed about the signs and symptoms of TB and they are encouraged to test if they identify any of the following symptoms which could be, coughing for two more weeks, losing appetite, feeling tired and weak, coughing blood, losing weight etc. Two sputum specimens are taken, one on the spot and one in the morning. People residing far from our catchment area and have financial problems are advised to leave two specimens and receive results in two to three days.

People who have tested positive are informed and treatment is commenced .Pre and post counselling is also given to patients. Patient tracers are utilized to locate patients who have tested positive but have not collected their results. Patients are also informed about how to prevent the spread of TB.

Treatment:
After a patient has been confirmed positive they are provided with seven days medication and referred to their nearest clinic for further treatment.

X-Ray and Imagining Department (24 Hours)

This department offers a 24 hour service to the hospital

Copyright © KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, 2001