Western Cape Health and Wellness implements mitigation measures to maintain specialist healthcare access for Central Karoo patients
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is implementing a range of mitigation measures to ensure that patients from the Central Karoo continue to access specialist healthcare services following significant damage to key transport routes caused by severe weather earlier this year.
The severe weather events in May resulted in widespread damage to infrastructure across the province, including the closure of major routes connecting the Central Karoo and Garden Route districts. Damage to both Meiringspoort and the Uniondale Pass has affected the ability of HealthNET, the department's non-emergency patient transport service, to transport patients to George Regional Hospital for specialist appointments and procedures.
To mitigate the impact of the road closures, HealthNET teams are utilising alternative routes to George where possible, despite significantly longer travel times. In some cases, patients are being redirected to Worcester Hospital for specialist services where appropriate. The department has also allocated additional funding to Emergency Medical Services in the Garden Route District to support operational pressures arising from the severe weather and road network disruptions.
During a visit to George this week, Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger met with health and emergency medical services teams to assess the impact of the severe weather on healthcare services and to discuss the measures being implemented to minimise disruption for patients.
"Our EMS teams served communities with courage and exceptional dedication during the severe weather events, conducting multiple search and rescue operations while continuing to deliver critical services under challenging circumstances," said Minister Wenger.
"As the province responds to an estimated R9 billion in infrastructure damage, we are also working to address the impact that damaged road networks have had on healthcare access. The closure of key routes such as Meiringspoort and the Uniondale Pass has affected our ability to transport Central Karoo patients to George Regional Hospital for specialist services, but we are implementing practical solutions to ensure patients continue receiving the care they need."
HealthNET forms an essential part of the Western Cape's healthcare system, transporting patients who are unable to use public transport for medical reasons to specialist outpatient appointments, regional and tertiary hospitals, and other specialised healthcare services.
Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers said restoring critical transport infrastructure remains a priority for the provincial government.
"Our teams are working tirelessly with engineers and contractors to assess and repair damaged infrastructure as quickly and safely as possible. Meiringspoort is a strategic route and its restoration is critical, but it was severely damaged and technical assessments and eventual repair work will take time.”
“The Department of Infrastructure does, however, appreciate the importance of this route and we are doing everything we can to speed up recovery operations. It is, however, also important to be reminded that this route is not the only route affected. We are working with our in-house as well as specialist external teams to get all routes open. We ask residents to please be patient, obey road signs and use alternative routes."
Minister Wenger also appealed to patients and their families for patience while road infrastructure is being restored.
"We understand that longer travel times and changes to transport arrangements may be frustrating and inconvenient for patients who already have to manage the stress of medical appointments and treatment. We ask residents to please work with us during this period as our teams do everything possible to protect access to care. These measures are temporary, but they are necessary to ensure that patients continue receiving the specialist services they need."
"These disruptions have required significant adjustments from our teams and from patients themselves. I would like to thank everyone involved for their flexibility, professionalism and dedication. Our focus remains on ensuring that patients continue to receive safe, reliable access to healthcare services."