Groote Schuur Hospital - Observatory, Cape Town

One of Cape Towns most prominant man-made Landmarks is the Groote Schuur Hospital. The off-white painted, hospital buildings are built on the slopes of Devil's Peak in the suburb of Observatory, and as such are set against the background of the beautiful mountain range that has become so iconic of Cape Town. During the 1600's the land that the hospital was on was a settler farm called Groote Schuur, which is Dutch for Great Barn. The hospital was first opened in 1938 and named after the original farm, but after 46 years the landmark had to undergo massive extensions to the original building in 1984. Two new wings were added to the hospital, and the original building was preserved. The original building currently houses several clinical academic departments and is also home to the Heart of Cape Town Museum.

One of the hospitals greatest moments was in December 1967, when a young University Of Cape Town educated surgeon named Dr Christiaan Barnard completed the world's first successful human heart transplant on Louis Washkansky. This catapulted both Barnard and the hospital into the global spotlight. As one of the countries top government funded teaching hospitals, the hospital is staffed by highly experienced individuals who can typically be seen to be mentoring medical school students from the University of Cape Town who are completing the final period of their training. The hospital is internationally renowned as the training ground for some of South Africa's best doctors, surgeons and nurses, and this leads to an extremely high standard of care.

The Heart of Cape Town museum is dedicated to the major medical event performed by Barnard and the hospital staff. The human heart transplant that has, since its first successful implementation, saved the lives of tens of thousands of patients from around the world. A and B theatres are the original general surgery theatres used for the first heart transplant. They remain laid out in the museum to create a fully authentic representation of the pioneering operation. A tour of the museum covers the introductory room, accident room, animal laboratory, the race to transplant the first heart, a timeline of events that led up to the first heart transplant, the donor Denise Darvall and a Barnard exhibit. The Heart of Cape Museum is a true testament to the quality of South African medical practitioners, but also serves as a reminder that organ donors who die tragically are nonetheless heroic in their selfless commitment to a spirit of aiding others in their hour of desperation.

5 Interesting things about the Groote Schuur Hospital:

1. Historical Significance: Groote Schuur Hospital is renowned for being the site of the world's first successful heart transplant, performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard on December 3, 1967. This landmark procedure marked a significant milestone in the field of cardiothoracic surgery.

2. Teaching Hospital: The hospital is affiliated with the University of Cape Town's Faculty of Health Sciences. It serves as a major teaching hospital, providing medical students and residents with hands-on clinical experience and training in various medical specialties.

3. Comprehensive Services: Groote Schuur Hospital offers a wide range of medical services, including emergency care, specialized surgery, and critical care. It is a tertiary referral center, providing advanced medical treatment to patients from across the Western Cape and beyond.

4. Architectural Heritage: The hospital's main building, completed in 1938, is noted for its Art Deco architectural style. The building is a significant example of early 20th-century hospital design and has been preserved as part of the hospital's heritage.

5. Research and Innovation: In addition to its clinical services, Groote Schuur Hospital is involved in medical research and innovation. It hosts research units and collaborates with various institutions to advance medical knowledge and improve patient care.

Contact Details:

Address: Groote Schuur Hospital, Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
Phone Number: +27 (0)21 404 9111
Email: info@gsnet.uct.ac.za (General inquiries and information)
Website:  https://www.gsh.co.za

For specific inquiries or information about services and appointments, visiting the hospital’s website or contacting them directly is recommended.