PUBLIC healthcare facilities play an integral part in ensuring accessible, affordable and equitable medical services for the public.

Some of the facilities encounter unforeseen problems ranging from persistent infrastructural decay, staff shortages and inadequate medical supplies.

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This week we take a closer look at the history of Wentworth Hospital which made headlines following public complaints about the quality of its services.

The hospital was first known as a Royal Navy Auxiliary Hospital in 1943. In 1948 national provincial administration (the regional government authority in KZN during that time) purchased the hospital for 600 pounds (around R550 000). The facility had 380 beds for TB and infectious diseases at the time.

In 1957 the cardiothoracic surgery was first performed and in 1958 plastic surgery was done.

According to the KZN Department of Health, in 1967 the hospital had its post basic diploma in intensive nursing.

In 1968 it opened its doors to a neurosurgery and in 1975 its first Computed Tomography (CT) Scan was installed.

Major expansion in specialised services like cardiology, cardio-thoracic surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery was seen.

The first non-invasive cardiac laboratory was built in 1980 and in 1983 a cardiac catheterisation laboratory was also built.

In 1968 the hospital demolished some wards but rebuilt others and in 1987 all racially discriminatory signs were removed.

A second cardiac catheterisation theatre and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner was installed in 1990. In the same year the cranio-facial unit was transferred to Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.

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In 2002 the first phase of decommissioning of special services took place and on December 7, 2002 the neurosurgery and neurology was transferred to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital.

On February 22, 2003 the plastic and reconstructive surgery was transferred to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital and on July 12, 2003 cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery went to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital.

In 2003 the hospital was commissioned as a district hospital. In September 2003 the advisory health care desk and outpatient department was opened to accommodate emergencies only.

In November 2003 the first ward with 30 beds (medical acute, overnight stay ward) was opened. In January 2004 more wards were opened. This was followed by the opening of the 20-bedded men and women’s medical wards in April 2004. The accident and emergency ward was opened with the casualty theatre.

Although Wentworth is a district hospital, public sentiment about its services has been mixed. In response, a hospital board was appointed earlier this year to serve as a liaison between the community and the health facility.

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