New liver centre at UCT aims to transform liver disease diagnosis and treatment
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has launched a first-of-its-kind, multidisciplinary liver centre set to reshape how liver disease is diagnosed and treated in South Africa.
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The University of Cape Town (UCT) has opened a new liver centre that aims to change how liver disease is diagnosed and treated in South Africa.
This centre is the first of its kind in the country and brings together a team of experts from different medical fields to provide comprehensive care for patients with liver issues.
Located at Groote Schuur Hospital, UCT Private Academic Hospital in Cape Town, and Netcare Greenacres Hospital in Gqeberha, the centre combines skills in liver surgery, liver health, digestive health, cancer care, and special imaging techniques. This teamwork allows for better, more coordinated care for patients.
Dr Dale Creamer, a leading clinician at UCT, explained that the centre fills a significant gap in how patients understand and receive care for liver disease. “Here we empower patients to learn about their liver disease and to understand it and provide them with world-class collaborative care that they need to treat it," he said.
The centre uses a personalised approach based on evidence and research. It offers a range of services, from early diagnosis and tailored treatment plans to less invasive procedures and complex surgeries, including liver transplants.
“Liver disease is complex and should receive subspecialist, multidisciplinary care. The liver centre offers exactly this, and this is what really makes it unique because patients have never received this level of care under one roof in the country,” added Dr Creamer.
The centre is equipped with the latest technology and staffed by experienced healthcare professionals across two provinces. Its goal is to improve patient outcomes through a fully integrated care model.
“Team-based care is crucial for making informed decisions for our patients. Our focus is on the patient, which means treatment plans are coordinated, leading to better results. This is the highest standard of care,” Dr Creamer said.
Accessing the centre is straightforward. General practitioners can refer patients directly through the centre’s website, and individuals with existing liver conditions can also seek help through the same platform. Each patient is carefully assessed and directed to the right specialist within the network.
“Multidisciplinary care is essential to make evidence-based decisions for our patients. Our approach is patient-centred and means that treatment plans are integrated, which ultimately improves outcomes for patients. It’s the gold standard of care,” he said.
“It [receiving care] is a seamless process with no unnecessary back and forth. And because we are an experienced, multidisciplinary team and operate as a centre of excellence, we offer the highest level of care and our patients’ well-being and safety are our top priority every step of the way."