In December 2013 several issues pertaining to Mitchells Plain Hospital were brought to the attention of the Western Cape Government Health. Provincial Health Minister Theuns Botha called for high level interventions which have now been implemented to ensure efficient functioning and uninterrupted quality health care.

The measures implemented are the following:

1. Clients had to walk from AZ Berman road to the hospital. The Department instituted a shuttle service to transport clients on this route. Since activation on 30 December 2013 until 31 January 2014, 1 016 clients have been transported by the shuttle, which operates from 8:00am - 16:00 daily.
2. Several posts were vacant. The following posts were filled between 1 December 2013 and 1 January 2014:
   • 11 medical officers
   • two medical specialists
   • one operational nursing manager
   • 31 professional nurses
   • 11 nursing assistants
   • 17 staff nurses
   • one physiotherapist
   • one PACS RIS (Picture Archiving and Communication System – Radiology Information System)
   • two radiographers
   ​In addition to these posts being filled, several other posts are also in the process of being filled by 1 April 2014, which includes 1 medical officer for paediatrics and 1 medical officer for gyneacology and obstetrics.
3. Lack of cellphone reception. The Department of Public Works' Property Management signed a contract with MTN for the installation of additional cell phone reception boosters throughout the hospital. The expected completion date is 27 April 2014.
4. Emergency Centre. The hospital continued to see a large number of patients at its Emergency Centre throughout December. In total 2 371 patients were seen at the EC of which 1 151 required admission into the hospital.

Minister Botha says "The overload that we are experiencing at Mitchells Plain Hospital is experienced at all our emergency centres across the Province, and is the result of the burden of disease and the migration the Western Cape is experiencing from other provinces, exactly as a result of the quality of our health services.

"Furthermore alcohol abuse is a key driver of violence in communities. 80% of our health budget is spent on the results of alcohol and substance abuse. We need people to take responsibility of the health, so that we can channel our resources at emergency centres to treat patients who suffer from non-preventable diseases."

The measures implemented thus far clearly show that the Department has listened to its clients on how to improve its services – ensuring a positive client experience at Mitchells Plain Hospital.