Supporting doctors
Life Healthcare has a network of over 2 700 specialists and other healthcare professionals
who use our hospitals to provide clinical treatment across the spectrum of medical
disciplines.
Doctors are not employed by our group, but are independent clinicians with freedom
of choice with regard to the selection of hospitals for patient referral and treatment
regimen. They are attracted to our hospitals by the modern facilities, new technology,
the quality of care provided by our nursing staff, and management’s understanding
of doctors’ needs and their focus on fostering lasting professional relations with
them.
We are committed to maintain a first class environment and support for our doctors
who work with us. We will continue to invest hundreds of millions of rand:
- to replace, upgrade and improve existing facilities;
- in new hospitals, wards and theatres, technologies and equipment;
- to expand services and capabilities; and
- in new design, development and new business initiatives.
The dynamic nature of healthcare and the population demographics in South Africa
provide general practitioners and specialists with exposure to unique clinical challenges,
leading to internationally acknowledged proficiency and experience. Doctors associated
with Life Healthcare regularly attend or lecture at local and overseas clinical
conferences. Foreign specialists are also invited to visit, lecture and perform
surgical demonstrations at Life Healthcare facilities.
Life Healthcare – in collaboration with its supporting specialists – has developed
protocols for patient care to ensure quality and cost-effective outcomes. The high
voluntary compliance by specialists with these regimens clearly confirms a desire
by them to contribute to the sustainability of local healthcare systems, while maintaining
high clinical standards of patient care.