Health and Wellness
- What measures has her Department implemented in the past financial year to reduce patient waiting times at primary healthcare facilities across the province;
- whether these interventions had a measurable impact; if so, what are the relevant details; if not,
(3) whether there are any plans in the pipeline; if so, what are the relevant details?
- In the past financial year, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness implemented a number of measures to reduce patient waiting times at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities. These included improvements in appointment systems, the scaling up of community-based service delivery platforms such as Community-Oriented Primary Care (COPC), expansion of the Centralised Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme, and the promotion of alternative access points for stable chronic patients.
The department also strengthened digital health initiatives such as the Primary Health Care Information System (PHCIS) and the Single Patient Viewer (SPV) to streamline patient flow and reduce duplication of services. As part of its commitment to person-centred care, efforts were made to better align staffing with patient demand and to ensure continuity and coordination of care.
(2) These interventions have shown measurable impact. According to the Annual Performance Plan, the department reported a reduction in patient complaints related to waiting times and congestion. Additionally, improved appointment systems and digital platforms have helped decongest facilities and reduce time spent waiting for medication or consultations, especially for stable chronic patients. The expansion of community-based services has also helped manage patient flow more efficiently by shifting care closer to where people live.
(3) Yes, there are ongoing and future plans to continue addressing patient waiting times. These include scaling up the use of digital tools to enable more seamless service delivery, further expanding the CCMDD programme, and deepening the implementation of the COPC approach. The department also intends to optimise staff allocation, improve facility-level operational management, and invest in infrastructure and system redesign to support more efficient patient movement and reduced waiting periods. These interventions form part of a broader strategic focus on improving the patient experience of care across all service levels.
