Western Cape surgery backlog: 77-year-old woman among 100 000 waiting for care

A 77-year-old Lavender Hill woman is one of close to 100 000 patients in the province and 5 077 at Groote Schuur Hospital who are suffering from the surgery backlog due to the roots and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and daily pressures of high trauma intake.

For seven months, the family of Elizabeth Williams have been engaging with management at Groote Schuur Hospital, pleading that their mother, who has Vocal Cord Palsy, be allowed elective surgery.

They claim she suffers regularly from vomiting, and choking with her tracheostomy, now having a foul smell, pus, and blood with them fearing a worsening infection or condition.

They are calling for immediate medical attention, citing it is vital to prevent serious complications like aspiration or pneumonia.

"Despite having Vocal Cord Palsy and being repeatedly turned away from scheduled surgery, GSH has failed to provide adequate care or follow-up," said Williams' daughter, Glenda Williams."

In May this year, after contacting GSH, I was promised an investigation and resolution. "However, seven months later, I have received no substantive response or action, despite multiple follow-up emails.

"The Medical Manager and a Professor also promised a follow-up after a May 30, meeting, which never occurred.

"The Medical Manager only contacted me on December 5 to request an assessment after learning I had involved the media.

"I have lost confidence in GSH due to these unfulfilled promises and feel any gestures are empty, especially since GSH indicated surgery is not imminent.

Williams turned to the media, citing that her mother's health is deteriorating: "She suffers from persistent coughing, vomiting, and choking and difficulty in breathing at times.

"Her tracheostomy now has a foul smell, pus, and blood, suggesting a worsening infection or condition.

"Immediate medical attention is vital to prevent serious complications like aspiration or pneumonia. This lack of proper care after seven months of urgent appeals is deeply unfair and may constitute a violation of her basic human rights, neglect, or elder abuse, in conflict with GSH's constitutional and ethical obligations.

She said her mother's case was not isolated and raised concerns about patient safety and the consequences of delayed care for vulnerable individuals.

During a parliamentary question in June, Mireille Wenger, MEC for Health and Wellness, was asked the latest figures for surgery backlog in the province, detailing those waiting for more than 12 months and between 36 and 60 months and the reasons for the delays.

In response to this, Wenger said the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to leave its mark with close to 100 000 surgery backlog.

"The total surgical backlog in the province currently stands at 99,979 patients. Of this total, 87,975 patients have been waiting for more than 12 months. And 20,027 patients have been on the waiting list for more than 60 months."

"The waiting lists include elective surgeries that range from routine day-case procedures to more complex operations requiring specialised surgical teams and facilities.

"The primary reason for the current backlog is the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic, particularly during the period from early 2020 to early 2022.

"During this time, surgeons, anaesthetists, and theatre nurses were redeployed to manage the high number of patients admitted with Covid-19, especially in intensive care units, high care, and general wards."

Wenger said by 2023, the number of operations had returned to pre-Covid levels, and progress was being made in addressing the backlog.

However, this momentum was disrupted in 2024 due to budgetary constraints linked to national austerity measures and that in 2025 she detailed.

When contacted by the Cape Argus regarding, Williams' plight, Esethu Madlwabinga, Communication, Department of Health and Wellness Western Cape Government explained that resources and daily trauma had its impact.

"As of May 2025, 5,077 patients are waiting for elective surgery at Groote Schuur Hospital, including 394 patients requiring cancer-related procedures. While progress has been made, demand for elective surgery continues to exceed available resources.

"High trauma volumes and ongoing national budget pressures affect the pace at which waiting lists can be reduced," she added.

Madlwabinga said while referring to Williams' case, they knew it was frustrating: "We recognise the very real distress experienced by patients and families who are waiting for surgery, and we acknowledge the frustration and anxiety that long waiting times can cause," she explained.

"Emergency and life-saving surgery is provided immediately, without delay. These cases are always prioritised to protect life and prevent serious harm.

"The current elective surgery backlog has its roots in the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic when services had to be scaled back to prioritise emergency and critical care."

In the final bid to have her mother helped, Glenda added: "The pain and distress my mother is experiencing, along with her declining health through no fault of her own, is deeply unfair. I have been advised that this lack of proper care may violate her basic human rights and could be considered neglect or elder abuse."

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus