THE DEVELOPMENT OF A ROBUST RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE CONTINUOUS SUPPLY OF WATER TO HOSPITALS IN THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE

Saija Bezuidenhout,Amey Dippenaar

doi:10.7166/30-2-2118

Abstract

The objective of this research is to develop a robust water supply risk management and response plan for Somerset Hospital that reflects the institution’s specific requirements, and to prepare general guidelines for the Western Cape Government Health Department in order to assist in developing risk management and response plans for all of its health care facilities. This will enable the Western Cape Government Health Department to be resilient in withstanding gradual systemic shocks and major crises in the supply of water to hospitals. The methodology is based on ISO 31000:2009, but it extends the approach using historical evaluations and a business impact analysis. Through the research it has become evident that one public sector in South Africa still lacks proper risk management planning, and that, on the whole, there is a global void in research into water resilience, especially that focusing on health care facilities.

Highlights

1.1 Introduction and backgroundThe Western Cape Government Health Department (WCGH) is one of thirteen provincial government departments forming the Western Cape Provincial Government in South Africa
The primary responsibility and function of WCGH is to deliver an extensive range of health services to citizens of the province
WCGH is probably not resilient enough to withstand gradual systemic shocks or major crises in the supply of water to health care facilities. This could have an impact on the continuous supply of water to hospitals, inevitably impacting the lives and health of patients

Summary

Introduction

The primary responsibility and function of WCGH is to deliver an extensive range of health services to citizens of the province. These services are delivered by a variety of institutions, including three tertiary and 25 district hospitals and 226 clinics located throughout the province [1]. WCGH is probably not resilient enough to withstand gradual systemic shocks or major crises in the supply of water to health care facilities. This could have an impact on the continuous supply of water to hospitals, inevitably impacting the lives and health of patients

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion