WC hospitals buckling under pressure from increased patient loads

The Western Cape Health and Wellness Department says it's experiencing significant pressure across hospitals and emergency centres in the province this festive season. 

74,300 people were admitted between December 2 and January 4.  

These included 18,600 trauma cases and 52,200 medical admissions. 

"There are service pressures across all of our hospitals and emergency centres since New Year’s Eve and the festive season. Patients that are ill because of chronic medical conditions are adding to the normal expected trauma conditions this time of the year," said department head, Dr Keith Cloete.

Cloete has appealed to the public to only visit emergency centres with emergencies and to expect long waiting times.

"Please be vigilant about looking after your chronic medical conditions to avert any exacerbations in these conditions. Please be patient with our staff members working long hours and under difficult conditions. We want to express a special thank you to all patients and their families that are kind and patient to our staff members, it's really appreciated." 

Cloete has urged the public to make responsible healthcare choices to help ease the pressure.

New Year's Day admissions

The department says hospitals in the province made close to 4,000 admissions on New Year's Day.  
 
"Our emergency centre were also extremely busy on New Year's Day with 3,989 admissions, which included 1,378 trauma cases and 2,464 medical admissions," said Chief Operating Officer Dr Saadiq Kariem.