PMB hospital function celebrates life and recovery of trauma survivors
October 20, 2020
Netcare St Anne’s Hospital level 1 trauma accreditation saves lives
Celebrating not just its 30th anniversary this year but also the first birthday of the hospital’s accreditation as a Level 1 trauma centre by the Trauma Society of South Africa
(TSSA), Netcare St Anne’s Hospital
in Pietermaritzburg hosted a special trauma survivors’ function to celebrate life and recovery yesterday.
In congratulating the staff of the hospital and the 24-hour Level 1 trauma centre, Craig Murphy, regional director of Netcare’s coastal region, noted that Netcare St Anne’s Hospital was the first hospital in KwaZulu-Natal to achieve this highest level of accreditation for trauma care in South Africa, in September last year.
In congratulating the staff of the hospital and the 24-hour Level 1 trauma centre, Craig Murphy, regional director of Netcare’s coastal region, noted that Netcare St Anne’s Hospital was the first hospital in KwaZulu-Natal to achieve this highest level of accreditation for trauma care in South Africa, in September last year.
“The accreditation and the wider TSSA system have already proved their value, strengthening emergency medical care services in the greater KwaZulu-Natal region while substantially improving patient outcomes and saving many lives. It is therefore most appropriate that this birthday function, hosted in honour of our trauma survivors, is held in celebration of life,” added Murphy.
A number of trauma survivors who were treated at the facility and other dignitaries from Netcare and the TSSA attended the trauma survivors’ function, which included a symbolic tree planting ceremony, and was hosted to celebrate World Trauma Day on 17 October. Some of the survivors also related the experiences of their traumatic injuries and the lifesaving treatment they received at Netcare St Anne’s Hospital.
One patient who is deeply touched by his experience at Netcare St Anne’s hospital is Gregory Brooks, the headmaster of the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir. On the night of 10 December, he had the misfortune of being attacked by four armed intruders at his home in the Champagne Valley area of the Drakensberg. The men stabbed Mr Brooks and kicked him in the ribs.
“I was rushed to Netcare St Anne’s Hospital, where I was under the care of trauma surgeon, Dr John Bruce. I was admitted to the hospital in a dire state. Nevertheless, Dr Bruce and his team were able to stabilise me and certainly saved my life. I am eternally grateful to them all for the trauma care that I received at the facility, which was world class,” related Mr Brooks of his experience.
According to Murphy, when Netcare St Anne’s Hospital, which first opened its doors in 1990, was accredited as a Level 1 trauma centre, the number of patients who were brought to the hospital for life-saving care by emergency medical practitioners and Netcare 911 helicopter emergency services (HEMS), quickly increased by some 300%. He believes that this demonstrated the great need that the TSSA trauma system was meeting.
Murphy said that the success of the trauma centre is in large part due to the practice of trauma surgeons comprising Professor Damian Clarke, academic head of the trauma system in the region; Dr Vassil Manchev; Dr John Bruce; and Dr Ian Donkin, as well as the excellent support provided by the Netcare national trauma team under Mande Toubkin, Netcare’s general manager: emergency, trauma, transplant and CSI.
“The considerable efforts of the Netcare KwaZulu-Natal trauma programme manager, Mariesa Human, the emergency department manager Farzana Pillay, and the highly skilled staff and modern technologies available at the facility have been integral in making the accreditation and system a success,” he added.
Toubkin said that the award of TSSA Level 1 accreditation to Netcare St Anne’s Hospital last September meant that the facility joined just a few others as the country’s top TSSA-ranked private trauma facilities. These are the renowned Netcare Milpark and Netcare Union hospitals, situated in Johannesburg and Alberton respectively.
“The TSSA accreditation requirements are stringent, and the hospital’s achievement of Level 1 accreditation was an outstanding accomplishment and an important development for trauma medicine within KwaZulu-Natal,” notes Toubkin.
She explains that the TSSA Level 1 accreditation requirements include the ability to provide round-the-clock multi-disciplinary care to even the most compromised trauma patients. In addition, the trauma facility should also be able to accept patients both via helicopter or road ambulance.
“Essentially, the Level 1 accreditation is an indication of the application of best practice and having the required skills and equipment in place to treat all levels of trauma, including life-threatening Priority One patients with complex and/or multiple injuries.
“It has been shown internationally that taking severely injured patients to an appropriately accredited trauma centre in the shortest possible time improves medical outcomes. Netcare’s Medibank statistics, and now the experience of the Netcare St Anne’s Hospital, bear this out, showing that the trauma system implemented in both the private and public sectors by the TSSA nationally works to reduce mortality and improve survival rates in patients seen in these centres.”
Louis Joubert, general manager of Netcare St Anne’s Hospital concluded proceedings by saying: “On the occasion of this tremendously moving celebration, I wish to take the opportunity to thank the people of Pietermaritzburg and the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands for the trust they have placed in the hospital and its staff through the years and for their ongoing support. This has allowed us to expand our services, such as our trauma facility, and become a well-known healthcare facility within the city.”
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With Rare Disease Day on the 28th of February 2025, the Rare Diseases Access Initiative (RDAI) is driving an evolution of the country’s healthcare, through innovative strategies to better care for over 4.2million people living with an estimated 7000 rare diseases. “As our healthcare system faces significant changes in the years ahead, it is vital that we also advocate for people living with rare diseases in South Africa, especially those with limited healthcare access,” said Kelly du Plessis, CEO of Rare Diseases South Africa (RDSA), a member of RDAI. “As part of our ongoing research and awareness efforts, RDAI has conducted an initial analysis of the incidence and prevalence of rare diseases within the country.” This research will assist in improving access to healthcare, policy development, and patient advocacy, while giving critical insight into the challenges faced by patients. “According to research, some rare diseases affect fewer than 1 in a million people, while others, such as Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and haemophilia, have a more recognisable prevalence,” says Dr. Helen Malherbe, RDAI lead researcher on rare disease prevalence data. “Many conditions are undetected, underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, with too many having no information available about them at all.” The RDAI was formed in 2019 to promote a more favourable environment for those impacted by rare diseases in South Africa. Participants include Ampath, the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), Discovery Health, Genetic Counsellors South Africa (SASHG), the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), Health Funders Association (HFA), Medihelp, Medscheme, North-West University (NWU), Rare Diseases South Africa (RDSA), the South African Medical Association (SAMA) and The South African Medical Technology Industry Association (SAMED). The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) participates as an observer. In the same year, Rare Disease International signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Health Organisation leading to an international rare disease policy framework. In 2021, the United Nations General Assembly moved to adopt a resolution recognising 300 million people living with rare diseases worldwide. “A general lack of awareness and delayed diagnosis remain major hurdles for those affected by rare diseases. 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Naturally, this model calls for the open participation of patients, the healthcare industry, health professionals, and the Government. “The most critical elements are robust diagnosis standards, improved access to treatment, data collection and management, co-ordination of care, measurement of outcomes and ongoing collaborative research,” du Plessis says. “We need to establish rare disease advisory committees, map gaps and opportunities, establish system requirements, create a roadmap and plan a phased implementation with clear timelines.” The RDAI states that these policy development steps would be a start in quantifying the disease burden and defining standards of care. This would be followed by building and strengthening the capacity to facilitate appropriate diagnosis, treatment, continuity and data monitoring. 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About RDAI The Rare Diseases Access Initiative (RDAI) is dedicated to advocating for improved healthcare access, policy development, and patient support for those affected by rare diseases in South Africa. The initiative brings together key healthcare stakeholders, including pharmaceutical associations, funders, genetic specialists, and patient advocacy groups, to drive impactful change. About RDSA Founded in 2013, Rare Diseases South Africa (RDSA) is a non-profit organisation advocating to ensure that people living with rare diseases and congenital disorders experience greater recognition, support, improved health service and better overall quality of life. Started out of personal need following the diagnosis of organisation founder, Kelly du Plessis' son, it became evident that there was a lack of awareness and support for rare diseases in general in South Africa. About IPASA The Innovative Pharmaceutical Association South Africa (IPASA) is a voluntary trade association representing 24 leading pharmaceutical companies committed to research, development, and innovation. Our mission is to drive healthcare advancement by advocating for policies that improve patient access to safe, high-quality, and affordable medicines.
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