Western Cape's healthcare recovery: 800 new staff to improve public services
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The Western Cape’s public healthcare system is entering a new phase of recovery after years of strain, with more than 800 new posts to be added under a R34.47 billion health budget, but pressure on services remains high.
Presenting the 2026/27 Health and Wellness Budget, Mireille Wenger said the province was moving beyond crisis management following the Covid-19 pandemic, fiscal constraints and rising demand, towards rebuilding and strengthening the system.
“We are moving beyond simply managing pressure. This budget allows us to actively stabilise and invest, and transform our health system so that it works better for every resident,” Wenger said.
The budget includes funding to appoint more than 800 additional staff across the system, aimed at easing pressure on frontline services and supporting the province’s more than 33,000 healthcare workers.
The new posts include 316 nurses, 124 doctors, 80 emergency medical personnel, 38 allied health professionals and 278 support staff. An additional R105 million has been allocated to expand the workforce.
The staffing boost comes after years of attrition and ongoing shortages in the public health system, which continues to operate under sustained demand.
Over the past year, more than 20 million patient contacts were recorded across public facilities.
Despite the planned increase in staffing, key pressure points remain, particularly in emergency medical services and high-volume facilities.
Emergency services continue to face significant challenges, including long travel distances in rural areas, safety risks and the inappropriate use of ambulances. Cape Argus has previously reported nearly 90 safety-related incidents involving EMS staff in under a year, including attacks on ambulances that delay critical care.
At facility level, capacity pressures remain a concern. Previous Cape Argus reporting has highlighted ongoing strain and long waiting times at some facilities.
Hospitals such as Mitchells Plain Hospital continue to operate under heavy demand, with occupancy rates nearing capacity. Officials say the additional staff will help relieve pressure, but acknowledge improvements will take time as posts are filled.
The province has allocated R5.4 billion to strengthen primary healthcare services, with a focus on prevention and early intervention, aimed at reducing the burden on hospitals over time.
Among the initiatives already underway is a medicine delivery programme, which has seen more than 87,000 parcels delivered to patients over the past year, allowing some to receive chronic medication at home instead of travelling to clinics.
The department is also investing in digital systems aimed at improving patient flow and reducing congestion at facilities. Planned upgrades include improved appointment scheduling systems and the longer-term goal of enabling patients to book, change or cancel appointments electronically.
Looking ahead, the province plans to invest more than R106 billion in health over the next three years, including major infrastructure projects such as the redevelopment of Tygerberg Hospital and the development of new regional hospitals in the metro.
However, major infrastructure projects have faced delays in the past, with long-awaited developments such as Tygerberg Hospital remaining in planning stages for several years.
Mental health services are also set to expand, with additional psychiatric beds and a pilot tele-mental health centre aimed at improving access to care, particularly in underserved areas.
At the same time, health authorities have raised concern over isolated outbreaks of measles and diphtheria in the province, both preventable through vaccination. Officials say this reinforces the need to strengthen immunisation programmes and community-based prevention efforts.
Wenger said the budget aims to balance immediate relief with long-term reform, shifting the system towards one that is more responsive and sustainable.
However, the province has cautioned that the impact of the additional funding and staffing will not be immediate, as posts are filled and system changes are rolled out.