Western Cape Government Health have officially integrated the healthcare services of Heideveld City Clinic to Heideveld Community Day Centre.
The joint decision to integrate and take over the services from the Heideveld City of Cape Town-run Clinic was made by the provincial department of Health and the City. It took effect from Friday 1 July.
By integrating services at this clinic, they will be able to provide a more holistic and integrated healthcare package in line with the Provincial Department’s Healthcare 2030 plan to streamline the patient journey, create a person-centred approach, and improve the quality of healthcare.
“The City Health and Provincial Government have offered health services to residents of Cape Town for many years. Some primary health care facilities are operated solely by the City and some are operated solely by the Provincial Government, while the Heideveld healthcare facility is operated by staff from both authorities on the same premises,” says Dr Giovanni Perez, Chief Director for Western Cape Government Metro Health Services.
“As services have evolved and become more integrated, it has been difficult to provide comprehensive quality services in facilities where there are two authorities operating from the same premises which have been confusing patients and staff. The decision for the services at the Heideveld health facility to be provided by a single authority is motivated by a desire to reduce duplication and complexity, and to provide a quality integrated service to the clients we serve.”
“A decision was taken by the City leadership to hand over Heideveld City Clinic to rationalise the clinic network to reduce the financial burden and thereby improve service efficiency,” says Mayco member for community services and health, Patricia van der Ross.
“The City of Cape Town is committed to a smooth handover of Heideveld City Clinic and its services as the health of the community is our number one priority. City Health staff will be placed in other City facilities with existing shortages, including where we previously lost vacancies, as well as where they are needed to improve efficiencies and contribute to strengthening our current service package where required.”
City services include child health immunisations, women’s health, cervical smears, family planning, basic antenatal care (BANC), treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), TB and HIV screening and testing, as well as patient management. Several facilities offered adult curative services including pharmacy services.
Once the services are fully integrated, communities can look forward to a comprehensive package of healthcare services from the provincial Department of Health under one roof with a more streamlined folder management system which will include the City Health services and access to emergency care, maternity care, mental health, TB and HIV screening, testing, and treatment plan, chronic clubs, access to a social worker, Covid-19 vaccinations, child and women’s health services, integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) and curative interventions for under five-year-old’s all under one roof. A one-stop shop for your health needs.
Communities affected by the handover of services can be reassured that services will continue to be available in the same buildings, now only under the management of Western Cape Government Health. City patient folders will be handed over to the Provincial Government healthcare facilities and support will be provided by City Health staff for the smooth handover of TB and HIV clients and their healthcare management, including clients receiving care for child and women’s health services.
Services will operate from Monday to Friday, 07:00 to 16:30. The facility will be closed over weekends and on public holidays.
Clients accessing services at Heideveld Clinic are encouraged to ask for assistance if needed and to maintain their appointment schedules as provided by the City Clinics as both the City of Cape Town and Western Cape Government Health will work together to ensure a smooth transition without disrupting client’s healthcare experience.
