Sod-turning for Mediclinic takes place after 8-year journey
The sod-turning to celebrate the start of the construction of the long-awaited new Mediclinic George was held on site in York Street on Friday 22 September.
Mediclinic founder and past chairperson Dr Edwin Hertzog, Mediclinic Group
CEO Greg van Wyk and the retired CEO, Danie Meintjes, were in George for the big moment.
Hertzog related a short history, reminding the audience that the first private hospital here was started by the Lamprecht family. A second hospital, Geneva Clinic, was started by a separate group of doctors. Eventually, Mediclinic acquired both. Hertzog said the company invested in upgrading and expanding of the facilities, but it was always "a bit squashed". "We were always thinking along the lines of a new building and a big new mothership hospital for George." The eight-year journey of delays after they had made the decision to establish a new facility, has been heartbreaking, he said.
Kassie Karstens, manager of Mediclinic George and Geneva, remembered his first presentation on the project on 1 June 2015, "3 045 days ago". He said in August of that year the first press statement was issued to announce Mediclinic's intention of developing a new hospital. Since then, they have had to persevere through "stumbling block after stumbling block" to get to the point where construction could start. "While there have been delays, it has been vital that we ensure everything is ready before commencing with the build. The construction is expected to take about two and a half years."
Van Wyk said the new hospital is a momentous step towards a brighter future, not only for Mediclinic, but also for the community. The aim is to centralise Mediclinic George and Geneva's services into a single, modern and world-class facility. The interior will feature elements of biophilic design, which means it will incorporate natural materials such as wood, stone and plants, as well as natural light. This type of design can aid in reducing stress, anxiety and pain and can improve sleep quality and overall well-being. "Mediclinic is seeking to source and produce as much of the material locally as possible, with an estimated three million bricks needed for the structure."
The new hospital will also include solar power which should reduce the reliance on normal electricity supply to at least half during the day, with four generators providing 24-hour operational load support. A dedicated waste-sorting station will ensure that all waste produced inside the hospital is directed for the most appropriate processing, in light of the company's commitment to ensuring "zero waste to landfill by 2030". The latest digital technology will also be installed to streamline processes in the hospital.
We were always thinking along the lines of a new building and a big new mothership hospital for George.