Victoria Hospital: A legacy of healthcare excellence for over 130 years

From humble beginnings in a small cottage more than 130 years ago, Victoria Hospital has grown into a leading state facility offering a wide range of medical services.

According to the Provincial Department of Health and Wellness, the idea of Victoria Hospital dates back to 1887, when Dr John Wright advocated for the establishment of a Cottage Hospital to serve the Wynberg community.

His vision inspired local residents to come together and raise the necessary funds to make it a reality. Sadly, Dr Wright died before its opening in 1889, and his son Dr Harry Wright, stepped in to continue its legacy.

When it opened, it only had 14 beds, but it grew slowly to add two additional wings in 1890. At the time, it was known as Victoria Cottage Hospital, and it treated soldiers in the early 1900s, as well as patients affected by the Bubonic Plague outbreak in Cape Town in 1901.

In 1907, its name changed to Victoria Hospital. In 1947, it started a children’s ward, which is the current psychiatric ward.  In 1961, it saw the opening of the Sandes Block, which increased the hospital bed capacity to more than 170, and in 1972, it saw the construction of a prefabricated emergency ward.

In 2009, the Victoria Hospital Abundant Life and Palliative Care Organisation was started by Dr Clint Cupido, which has been running up until today, and it has reached more than 10 000 patients and their families over the years.

In 2013, the Currie Block was renovated, with a significant upgrade and expansion to the paediatric ward. In 2022, the new Emergency Centre was opened, providing the necessary upgrade of facilities and equipment for both staff and patients.

The hospital's CEO, Jonathan Vaughan, said Victoria Hospital has evolved into a large district hospital with 203 beds, serving as a critical part of the Southern Western Substructure in the province.

“It provides healthcare services to a broad and diverse community, from Wynberg in the north to Cape Point in the south, and from Hout Bay in the west to Strandfontein in the east,” he said.

Mr Vaughan said the hospital is supported by a dedicated team of  more than 500 permanent and contract staff who deliver a wide range of essential healthcare services.

“Despite its size, Victoria Hospital is often described as having a 'family feel,' with staff working collaboratively and supporting one another to ensure the highest standard of care for every patient,” he said.

Mr Vaughan said their hospital’s vision is “Pursuing Excellence in Care", which drives their continuous efforts to enhance the quality of healthcare we provide.

“We are committed to regularly reviewing our services and actively responding to feedback to ensure we meet the evolving needs of our patients and community,” he said.

In recent years, the hospital has undergone more innovative changes, like the opening of the Thuthuzela Care Centre in 2022, which is an initiative by the Victoria Hospital Clinical Forensic Unit in partnership with the National Prosecuting Authority.

It offers crucial support for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, aiming to reduce secondary trauma and improve conviction rates of offenders. It also opened a Paediatric Outpatient Department in 2023, and a new training centre in 2024, which offers an area for staff and student training, meetings, conferences, and a space where the hospital can run blood donation drives. 

Mr Vaughan said their hospital team is fortunate to have the ongoing support of generous donors, community members, and partner organisations who continue to play a vital role in helping them carry out these much-needed projects.

Long-serving nurse, and the hospital's operational manager of the High Care Unit, Wendy Bilby, has been part of the team for more than 30 years.

She worked as a student nurse at Victoria Hospital in 1984, and she would return to the hospital in the early 1990’s where she was mentored by the late Sister Vera Park.

“One of the most memorable moments in my career was during the Covid-19 pandemic, where we successfully extubated our first ventilated patient and saw him reunited with his wife and young daughter,” she said.

The hospital’s labour relations officer, Raymond du Plessis, who has worked there since 1992, said they always organised events to celebrate staff who graduated from university, making the occasion special while motivating others to work towards their own moment on the red carpet.