Published 07 November 2025
Emergency Surgery Impact
Emergency surgery impact update highlighting expanded theatre access for urgent orthopaedic care.
Additional emergency theatre lists expanded access to urgent surgeries, supporting trauma services.
Impact at a Glance:
June- September 2025
- 16 emergency theatre lists completed
- 53 patients received emergency surgery
- 56 procedures performed
- 12 patients required multi-stage operations
During this period, the most common procedures involved ankle and upper-limb fracture fixations, reflecting the high volume of trauma-related injuries treated within the public health system. Several patients required complex, staged procedures, highlighting the importance of consistent access to emergency theatre time.
Delivered with support from LottoStar and channelled through the Groote Schuur Hospital Trust, this initial phase focused on creating additional capacity within an already stretched trauma environment.
“The emergency surgery lists have made a massive difference to our waiting times for orthopaedic trauma cases. We’re able to treat additional patients each week thanks to the extra theatre time.”
— Maritz Laubscher, Associate Professor, Trauma Limb Reconstruction
— Maritz Laubscher, Associate Professor, Trauma Limb Reconstruction
This first phase laid the foundation for sustained emergency surgical access, supporting improved patient flow and enabling continued impact in the months that followed.