Introduction of Specialist Services at Crestcare Malmesbury Enhances Access to Advanced Medical Care in the Swartland Region

• Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital has expanded its advanced medical services with the appointment of six new medical specialists, reducing the need for people to travel long distances for expert healthcare

  • The new specialists include a surgeon, anaesthetist, plastic surgeon, ENT specialist, physician and obstetrician-gynaecologist

  • These appointments support the activation and bolstering of core clinical departments, notably General Surgery, Anaesthesiology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Otolaryngology, Plastic and Reconstructive surgery and Internal Medicine

  • Crestcare Malmesbury’s expanded services are set to transform care for communities in the region

• The new specialists joining the team include:

  • Dr Zandri Pienaar, a specialist surgeon

  • Dr Bronwyn Roopnarain, an anaesthetist

  • Dr Sid Gautum, a plastic surgeon

  • Dr Ashton Boggenpoel, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist

  • Dr Letitia Naidoo, a physician

  • Dr Thomas Mathonodze, a specialist obstetrician-gynaecologist

• Crestcare Malmesbury deploying robotic-assisted surgery following further investments

  • In February, Crestcare Malmesbury performed its first robot-assisted orthopaedic procedures (knee replacements)

  • Robotic surgery, which allows for highly precise operations using tiny incisions, is known to minimise pain and reduce scarring and thereby accelerate recovery and healing

15 April 2025: Malmesbury, Western Cape – Access to affordable, quality healthcare in Malmesbury and the Swartland District has become a lot easier with the arrival of six new specialist doctors at Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital, reducing the need for people to travel long distances for expert healthcare.

The new specialists, including a surgeon, anaesthetist, plastic surgeon, physician, ENT specialist and obstetrician-gynaecologist will support the activation and bolstering of core clinical departments such as surgery and maternity. From emergency operations to specialised consultations, the hospital’s expanded services are set to transform affordable healthcare for communities in the region.

Kobus Nel, Regional Hospital Manager commented:

The newest members of the Crestcare Malmesbury team include Dr Zandri Pienaar, a specialist surgeon and Dr Bronwyn Roopnarain, an anaesthetist – together they are enabling the hospital’s surgical unit to attend to a wider and even more specialist surgical needs within the community. Later this month, Dr Sid Gautum, a plastic surgeon, will join the team, along with Dr Ashton Boggenpoel, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist - another two firsts for the hospital.

By May, the hospital will also welcome Dr Letitia Naidoo, a physician and Dr Thomas Mathonodze, a specialist obstetrician-gynaecologist, boosting internal medicine and maternity services.

Since opening in September 2024, the 84-bed acute care facility has steadily become a lifeline in the area, particularly for patients who previously had to travel more than 40km to access specialist services. Now, thanks to the hospital’s growth, residents in Malmesbury and surrounding towns can get timely, quality treatment without leaving their community.

Crestcare Malmesbury Hospital offers a wide range of services – from a 24-hour Emergency unit to specialist departments in paediatrics, dermatology, orthopaedics, urology, cardiology, neurosurgery and dentistry. The hospital’s four advanced operating theatres, including a high-tech laminar flow theatre, are designed to reduce infection risk and improve surgical outcomes. These features are typically found in major metropolitan hospitals – but now, they’re accessible right here in Swartland.

One of the most exciting developments is the hospital’s investment in robotic-assisted surgery. In February this year, Crestcare Malmesbury performed its first robot-assisted knee replacement – a major milestone for a private facility in a peri-urban setting. Robotic surgery, which allows for highly precise operations using tiny incisions, is known to speed up recovery time, minimise pain and reduce scarring.

Nel explained that

In addition to surgical innovation, the hospital is expanding its cardiology and paediatric services to meet growing demand, and its new dentistry services are already proving popular among the diverse specialist teams. These expansions reflect the hospital’s broader mission: to not only provide world-class care but to uplift and empower the community through healthcare services.

The hospital has also partnered with SCP Radiology who provides ultra-modern diagnostic services through the latest MRI, CT scans, Bone Densitometry, Mammography, Ultrasonography and the standard X-Ray imaging.

Crestcare Malmesbury is part of the Crestcare Hospital Group, a rapidly growing network with facilities across Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga as well as the Western and Eastern Cape. The group plans to expand its national capacity to 800 beds in the next two years, with a focus on serving peri-urban and rural areas that often lack quality private healthcare options.

For the people of Malmesbury and the greater Swartland district, these changes bring more than just convenience. They bring peace of mind – knowing that expert care, advanced technology and a compassionate team are now right on their doorstep.