NETCARE TO CLOSE UNDERPERFORMING BRANCH.

Netcare is looking to sell or close its Bougainville Hospital in Pretoria as the business environment “renders the hospital uneconomical”. The hospital first opened its doors in 1997 the private healthcare provider announced on Tuesday, February 1 that it’s looking to sell the 60-bed Bougainville hospital in west of Pretoria. Netcare regional director Johan Smal said unless a suitable buyer was found the hospital would close its doors on April 30.

Commenting on the development, the regional director of Netcare’s north-east region, Johan 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,” said Smal.

General manager of Netcare Bougainville hospital, Sydney Masalla confirmed that there were only three resident specialists on site at the hospital who also worked at other facilities. “In addition, we only have 37 active staff members with whom we are in discussion regarding viable alternative employment options,” he said.Smal thanked patients, doctors, staff as well as healthcare service providers for their support through the years, saying that they were an integral part of the history of Netcare Bougainville hospital and the greater South African landscape.