Health and Wellness

Please note that the ambulance figures cited exclude HealthNET vehicles, which provide non-emergency patient transport services, as well as specialised search and rescue vehicles. As a result, the figures do not represent the full complement of EMS fleet resources available across the province

(a)(i) The number of ambulances allocated to each District is as follows:

Cape Town Metropole: 126

West Coast District: 29

Cape Winelands District: 40

Overberg District: 24

Garden Route District: 31

Central Karoo District: 15

It should be noted that ambulance availability is not solely dependent on the number of vehicles allocated, but also on the availability of appropriately trained personnel to staff these vehicles. An ambulance cannot be operationally deployed without the required crew, and therefore resource capacity must be considered in terms of both fleet and staffing.

(ii) The average response times per municipality for priority 1 cases for Emergency Medical Services are as follows:

Metropole: 87 minutes

West Coast District: 45 minutes

Cape Winelands District: 68 minutes

Overberg District: 43 minutes

Garden Route District: 53 minutes

Central Karoo District: 23 minutes

(b) The Department has implemented several measures to address shortages of ambulances and delays in response times, including:

• The contracting of private ambulance services to assist with the facilitation of Inter-Facility Transfers for low acuity cases, thereby alleviating pressure on public EMS resources and improving overall response capacity for emergency calls;
• Dynamic deployment models, ensuring ambulances are positioned based on demand patterns and peak periods;
• Collaboration with private ambulance services where appropriate to supplement capacity;
• Implementation of technology-driven dispatch systems to optimise call triaging and resource allocation;
• Ongoing monitoring of response times with targeted interventions in pressurised areas.

(c) The safety of EMS personnel remains a priority. The following measures are in place to protect paramedics:

• Collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and local law enforcement to provide escorts in high-risk areas;
• Implementation of crew safety protocols;
• The operation of a dedicated EMS Safety Desk, which monitors incidents, coordinates rapid responses to threats, and facilitates real-time support and escalation of safety concerns;
• Installation of vehicle tracking systems and emergency alert mechanisms in ambulances;
• Engagement with communities through awareness campaigns to promote respect and protection of emergency personnel.