Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital earns world-class accreditation for cancer and palliative care

Cape Town’s iconic Groote Schuur Hospital, best known as the birthplace of the world’s first heart transplant, has once again put South African healthcare on the global map. The state hospital has received European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) accreditation, recognising its world-class oncology and palliative care services.

The accreditation, awarded during the ESMO Congress in Berlin, positions Groote Schuur as the only hospital in South Africa with this prestigious recognition. It joins an exclusive network of 284 ESMO-accredited hospitals worldwide, where countries like Italy dominate the list with 46 accredited facilities.

A Milestone For South African Public Healthcare

Operating under the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, Groote Schuur’s achievement underscores the potential of South Africa’s public healthcare system to meet global standards of care.

The accreditation process evaluates critical areas such as symptom management, multidisciplinary teamwork, communication, research, and education. Groote Schuur’s success confirms that its services meet the highest international benchmarks for compassionate, patient-centred care.

Associate Professor Zainab Mohamed, head of the Department of Radiation Oncology, said the recognition marks years of dedication and collaboration:

“It validates years of teamwork and commitment to ensuring that every patient receives holistic caretreatment that addresses not just the disease, but the person behind it.”

Inside The Hospital’s Lifesaving Work

Groote Schuur is one of three central hospitals in the Western Cape, admitting more than 50,000 inpatients and treating over half a million outpatients every year.

Research from Cape Town indicates that 16% of hospitalised patients live with life-limiting illnesses, representing more than 8,000 patients annually who need palliative support. In 2023, the hospital’s dedicated palliative care team handled 1,426 new patient consultations, a number that continues to climb.

The Oncology Unit sees approximately 3,000 new cancer patients annually and provides a full range of services including medical oncology, radiotherapy, survivorship care, and integrated palliative care.

Decade Of Multidisciplinary Commitment

Since 2014, Groote Schuur has built a strong multidisciplinary team that includes oncologists, palliative care specialists, professional nurses, health and rehabilitation workers, social workers, and spiritual caregivers.

Their holistic approach ensures that patients receive pain and symptom management, counselling, bereavement guidance, and family support. The hospital is also a key training site for future healthcare professionals, offering hands-on education in palliative and oncology care.

Plans are already in motion to expand counselling spaces, enhance staff training, and strengthen bereavement care programmescontinuing the hospital’s mission of compassion in every corner of its wards.

Looking Ahead: A Future Built On Compassion And Innovation

Groote Schuur recently upgraded its oncology and chemotherapy facilities and is preparing to open a new emergency centre in 2026. These developments align with its goal to improve patient comfort and expand access to world-class medical services for South Africans who rely on public healthcare.

A Moment Of Pride For Cape Town

On social media, healthcare professionals and locals alike have celebrated the announcement as a “moment of national pride,” calling it proof that South Africa’s public hospitals can deliver excellence equal to the best in Europe.

The story of Groote Schuur’s recognition is not just about medical achievementit’s about resilience, teamwork, and the power of compassionate care.

As the hospital enters its next chapter, it stands as a symbol of hope and healing, showing that even within the constraints of a public system, humanity and excellence can thrive side by side.

{Source:Business Tech}

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