Groote Schuur Hospital’s improved Emergency and Trauma Centre has officially been launched, with new equipment, trauma areas and a new officer to help families who need answers.
Cape Town, South Africa (07 October 2026) – Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) has officially launched its improved Emergency and Trauma Centre, a R200 million investment in emergency and trauma care in the Western Cape.
The centre has been serving patients for a little while already. The Emergency Centre began operating in the new facility on 28 July 2026, followed by the Trauma Centre on 12 August 2026. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness and GSH held the official launch yesterday, 6 October 2026.
The new facility has modern clinical infrastructure, advanced medical technology, dedicated trauma treatment areas and enhanced resuscitation facilities. It has all been designed specifically for improved emergency and trauma care.
“Groote Schuur’s Emergency Centre is one of the busiest in Africa, treating between 3 500 and 4 500 patients every month,” says Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger. “Our patients and staff deserve a facility that is equipped to respond effectively when people need urgent care, whether they arrive with serious injuries, acute medical conditions or surgical emergencies. This investment is ultimately about the people of the Western Cape: ensuring they can access the quality, compassionate emergency care they need when it matters most.”
Philanthropic donors working with the Groote Schuur Hospital Trust also came through for the project. Their contributions funded clinical equipment including digital mobile X-ray units, ventilators, ultrasound machines and transport monitors, all of which support patient care in emergency settings.
“This achievement reflects what can be accomplished through strong partnerships,” says Dr Shaheem de Vries, Chief Executive Officer of Groote Schuur Hospital. “We are grateful to the donors who have supported Groote Schuur Hospital through the Hospital Trust and helped equip the facility with technology that will directly benefit patients and healthcare teams.”
The centre has also been designed with the people waiting outside the treatment areas in mind. Dedicated family and relative waiting areas mean loved ones can stay close by while healthcare teams give them updates.
There’s also a new ‘Patient Liaison Officer’, a role created in response to feedback from patients and families over the years. One of those family members is Mr Nkosi Wakashe, who spent time in the former C15 Emergency Centre while his mother was receiving care.
“During a very difficult time when my mother was admitted, one of the challenges we faced was not knowing where to go for information or who to approach with our questions. There was nobody available to guide us through the process or provide updates, which added to an already stressful situation for our family,” he says. “When a loved one is in hospital, you are already worried and anxious and not having someone to answer your questions only make that experience harder.”
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With the new equipment, dedicated trauma areas, family waiting spaces and a Patient Liaison Officer, the centre is well-equipped to support both patients and the families waiting with them.
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