Provincial healthcare services remain operational amid severe weather conditions

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness confirms that while severe weather persists across parts of the province, majority of our healthcare services remain operational, with patients safe and continuing to receive care. We are experiencing service delays at our healthcare facilities and request for patience and understanding from our communities accessing care, as our teams are working under challenging conditions, providing person-centred care, while ensuring that services remain operational.

The primary impact of the current weather conditions relates to power supply interruptions in some areas, affecting a number of healthcare facilities. All clinics in the Breede Valley area and certain parts of the Cape Winelands have been closed after patients were treated, to ensure the safety of our staff and patients. Contingency measures are in place at our healthcare facilities, including generators and patient transfers where necessary, to ensure continuity of essential services. 

Hospitals and clinics in the Overberg, West Coast, Cape Metro, Garden Route and Central Karoo, continue to function under contingency arrangements. In specific cases, hospitals are operating on generator power, and where there are infrastructure damages due to the strong wind, emergency cases, including paediatric and theatre patients at Caledon Hospital, are being safely accommodated through established referral and transfer systems to Hermanus Hospital and supported by Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Mitchells Plain Hospital has been impacted by a power outage, and ensuring that essential services are provided, but patients requiring specialist healthcare services will be diverted and transferred to Khayelitsha District Hospital until the power has been restored.

In the West Coast District, unsafe road conditions have resulted in the temporary closure of Redelinghuys Clinic and the suspension of the Piketberg Bo‑berg mobile service. 

Across the province, mobile healthcare outreach services have been suspended in high‑risk areas as a precaution due to unsafe travel conditions. These services will be rescheduled once conditions improve.

Please note that Emergency Medical Services is managing a high volume of operational responses related to weather-related incidents. The current focus remains on emergency response and maintaining service continuity. As such, EMS may not be able to immediately verify or respond to all individual media queries. Verified and operationally appropriate information will be shared as it becomes available.

The Department continues to monitor the situation closely and urges the public to exercise caution, follow official communication channels, and delay non‑urgent healthcare visits where travel conditions are unsafe. For any medical emergencies, contact 10177.

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Soundbite: Services Remain Operational During Severe Weather Conditions

For media queries contact

Monique Johnstone

Communication

Western Cape Department Health and Wellness

Cell: 068 280 7586

Email: Monique.johnstone@westerncape.gov.za