future rooftop Helistop. The rationale being that a
helistop is a required to meet the requirements for
Level 1 Emergency Unit envisaged for the hospital.
The helistop on the roof would link directly via a
strategically positioned bed lift to the ground level
Emergency Unit.
The ‘shell’ design was developed in accordance
with a height restriction imposed by town
planning and to obviate any conflict with the
harbour navigation leading lights situated on a
bearing which transects the building. The landlord
then decided to apply for and was granted an
increase in the height restriction to provide for
two additional storeys to maximise the potential
development rights.
This necessitated the appointment of PRDW
who attended to the increase in height of the port
navigation lights, which involved the erection of
a new light tower positioned in the harbour as
well as the increase of the port light fixed to the
municipal building. This ensured that both port
lights are visible to incoming ships for navigation
of the very difficult port entry. The future helistop
will be the first roof top helistop in South Africa to
comply fully with international aviation standards,
safety and design.
The structure is designed to enable the landing
of helicopters on the roof, restricted to a Class 1
helicopter up to the size of an Oryx helicopter,
which will satisfy the need to accept emergency
rescue directly from sea-going vessels.
The facility cannot be operated as a helistop
until full approval is granted by CAA and Cape Town
Disaster Management and the target opening date
for this, following installation of aviation lights and
additional safety equipment, is August 2017.
• Potential exists for the adjacent Chevron building
to incorporate additional facilities – currently
planned for this building is a Sub Acute facility,
Day theatre and beds, ancillary medical services
and consulting suites totalling 11,500m2.
Special Design & Clinical Design Features
• A pneumatic tube system was installed
through-out the hospital to cater for pharmaceutical distribution.
• Future expansion for the hospital was catered
for by expanding the hospital into the top parking
floor (designed to cater for clinical space). This
generates ±6,000m2 of future space.
• Further expansion space was allowed for
in 4 x 500m2 pockets and other spaces not
initially occupied on various floors.
• On acquiring the Chevron building next to the
hospital, the landlord was able to remove the
set-backs allowed for in the new building for
natural light to the Chevron building. These setbacks allow for further expansion of ±1,000m2.
• Creation of a surgical centre of excellence by
designing all theatres & ICU’s on one level.
• Creation of a Cardiac centre of excellence by
designing 2 x Cath Labs together with relevant
wards and ICU’s on one floor with future
expansion room for an additional Cath Lab.
• Isolation rooms in SICU & PICU are provided with
negative pressure and ante rooms to enhance
infection control measures.
Construction and ‘Integrated’ Programme
The landlord commenced with construction in
June 2013 and after extensive investigation and
negotiations the integration or overlap of ‘shell’
and ‘fit out construction’ was agreed. The fit out
construction started in July 2015 with completion
of the hospital clinical areas in October 2016
and the medical suites following in November
2016. The hospital commissioning commenced
in July 2016 and concluded in November 2016
with the opening date of the hospital set for
3 December 2016.
Some Highlights
• High ratio of Specialised Theatres, Cardio
Catheterisation Laboratories & ICU beds.
• First super specialised Greenfield hospital
undertaken by Netcare. All doctors in hospital
were involved in the design process.
• The area is well provided with pedestrian ways
and nearby public transport, with a MyCiti bus
station part of the development.
Christiaan Barnard
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