Westbury clinic opens 24-hour emergency unit to bring relief to Johannesburg community residents
A long-awaited 24-hour emergency unit opens at Westbury Clinic, easing pressure on major hospitals.
The Westbury Clinic will officially open its long-awaited 24-hour accident and emergency unit on February 1, marking a significant step forward in improving access to urgent healthcare for surrounding communities.
Operational manager at Westbury Clinic Lerato Mpandla said the new unit is expected to bring major relief to residents of Westbury, Sophiatown, and Claremont, many of whom have historically had to travel long distances to receive emergency medical attention. “Once operational, the facility will provide round-the-clock care, seven days a week, for a wide range of medical emergencies.”
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She added that these include pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents, physical and sexual assaults, poisoning, injuries, and other chronic or acute conditions requiring immediate medical intervention. “The expansion of the clinic into a fully functioning 24-hour facility forms part of broader efforts to respond to the needs of a growing population, while also easing pressure on neighbouring community health centres and hospitals.”
Before the establishment of this unit, Mpandla highlighted that patients presenting with severe chest pain or suspected heart attacks, stroke symptoms, major trauma from accidents or assaults, severe bleeding, deep wounds, broken bones, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, seizures, burns, gunshot wounds, or stabbings were routinely referred to Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital or Helen Joseph Hospital. “These referrals added to already high patient volumes in those emergency departments.”
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With the new unit now in place, she noted the clinic is expected to significantly reduce pressure on Discoverers Community Health Centre, Helen Joseph Hospital, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
Mpandla said the opening of the 24-hour accident and emergency unit represents a critical improvement in local healthcare delivery, ensuring residents can access urgent medical care closer to home, when they need it most.
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