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UCT Private Academic Hospital (UCTPAH) recently acquired a new 64-slice CT scanner, their decision to donate their previous, now unused model to the Radiation Oncology Department at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) was a natural and easy one to make.

As Christo Becker, general manager of UCT Private Academic Hospital explains, there has long been a close working partnership between the two hospitals. It is our policy to build and nurture partnerships with the public sector where possible. The donation of this CT scanner is in essence a symbolic gesture that recognises the valued working partnership between UCTPAH and Groote Schuur, which has grown from strength-to-strength over a period of more than eight years.

Becker added that the new, 64 slice CT-scanner at UCT Private Academic hospital was a state-of-the-art diagnostic tool that would provide physicians with substantially enhanced

images thereby significantly aiding the diagnosis and treatment of patients. He also shared the important news that the new scanner has been linked to the Groote Schuur Radiology reporting room where it is accessible to specialists during training. Adding to this he said it would also be made available for research purposes to University staff to gain maximum benefit from the investment.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the CT scanner, Mr Theuns Botha, Western Cape Minister of Health, commented that the future of healthcare in South Africa rested on symbiotic partnerships such as that which exists between UCTPAH, Groote Schuur Hospital and UCT Medical School. The working partnership between these facilities and the sharing of both medical and technical resources is both prudent and encouraging, and bodes well for the future of healthcare in the Western Cape.

He continued: UCTPAH already plays an integral role in retaining valuable medical expertise by providing a facility for public service doctors to use their remunerative work outside of Public Service. This not only retains scarce medical skills within government health facilities, but it ensures that talented medical specialists remain in South Africa and in the Western Cape in particular.

They are delighted to accept this CT scanner as it will become an invaluable training and research resource for registrars and fellows within the Radiation Oncology Department thereby adding immense value to the service offering to patients.

In accepting the CT scanner Prof Raymond Abratt, Groote Schuur Hospital's Head of Radiation Oncology, welcomed the donation. He noted that the very first CT scanner was conceptualised and developed in the planning section of the Radiation Oncology Department. Alan Cormack won the Nobel Prize for this work. The CT scanner is used in Radiation Oncology to delineate tumours and sensitive normal tissues so that radiation therapy can be effectively and safely administered to patients. The images obtainable on this CT scanner are completely suitable for this purpose. He thanked the Provincial Health Department for accepting costs of installation and the ongoing costs of running the CT scanner. He also thanked the GSH Facility Board, which is supported by public donations, for assistance with upgrading the Departments facilities so that our new arrival has a suitable home.

The CT scanner in the Radiation Oncology department also frees up CT time in the Radiology department, where it is used for diagnostic purposes, thereby creating a much needed additional resource - especially during times of emergency. It also opens new opportunities for research and development of treatment protocols, which is ultimately in the interest of oncology patients, he added.

Source: Groote Schuur Hospital

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