When Busamed Paardevlei Private Hospital opened the doors to its dedicated mental-health and -wellness facility, Thrive@Busamed, in April this year the response from the community was immediate, and telling!

By the second day of operation the unit in Somerset West had already admitted its first patients.

That swift uptake speaks volumes about the gap this new facility is filling in the region.

An overdue solution

Mental-health care in the Western Cape has long been under pressure. Limited bed availability, extended waiting times and high demand at existing facilities have left many individuals without timely access to the structured support they need. Busamed identified this growing crisis and responded decisively.

“Many individuals were required to wait extended periods to access care, largely as a result of bed shortages and high demand at existing mental-health units,” said unit manager Mbulelo Dlova. “Thrive@Busamed was established to address this gap, improve access to quality mental-health care and provide timely, supportive interventions for those in need.”

The unit is currently licensed for 26 beds, with the capacity and plans in place to expand to 36 beds in the near future.

What’s on offer

Thrive@Busamed is a voluntary inpatient mental-health and -wellness facility providing a carefully structured therapeutic programme tailored to individuals facing a range of mental-health challenges.

Conditions treated include mood disorders such as Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder as well as anxiety disorders, including Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and specific phobias.

The unit also offers a short-term, medically supported alcohol- and drug-detox programme, designed to ensure safety, comfort and effective care throughout the withdrawal process.

What distinguishes the unit from others in the region is its deeply personalised, client-centred philosophy.

The environment is deliberately spacious, calm and therapeutic, and patients are even given the opportunity to choose their own meals, reflecting the unit’s belief that nutrition plays a vital role in the healing process.

“We believe that every individual is unique,” Dlova said. “We are committed to putting our clients first by delivering personalised, compassionate and client-centred care.”

A multidisciplinary team

Driving the unit’s clinical excellence is a team of experienced and highly qualified professionals.

Psychiatrists include the well-known Dr Muhammad Ashraf Jedaar, a respected figure in Western Cape psychiatry, along with Dr Kobus van der Walt and Dr Keneilwe Lehloenya.

The team is further supported by psychologists, an occupational therapist who runs structured group therapy programmes, and a nursing team that includes a unit manager holding an advanced psychiatry qualification from Stellenbosch University, professional nurses trained through the University of the Western Cape and Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and an enrolled nurse with extensive experience in psychiatry.

The unit also benefits from direct access to the emergency department at Busamed Paardevlei Private Hospital, ensuring that patients can receive immediate support whenever emergency care is required.

Exceeding expectations

Just two months into operation the unit’s performance has already exceeded initial projections.

Admissions have steadily increased and surpassed expectations, with patients presenting not only from the Western Cape but from other provinces as well, a clear indicator of the broader national demand for accessible, quality mental-healthcare.

“The first two months have been highly productive,” Dlova confirmed.

“The therapeutic programme has been fully operational since the unit opened, ensuring that patients have been receiving structured care from the very beginning.”

Accessible to all

Accessing the unit is straightforward. Patients may be referred by a treating psychologist or general practitioner, or may present as walk-in patients via the emergency department, where they are assessed and referred through the on-call psychiatrist.

The unit accepts medical aid and also accommodates private, cash-paying patients. Busamed transport services are available to assist with admission and discharge, further reducing barriers to access.

The unit is open to patients from across the Western Cape and beyond.

Beyond hospital walls

Thrive@Busamed is not simply focused on the patients within its walls; it is actively working to reduce stigma and build awareness in surrounding communities.

In July, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the team will conduct community outreach programmes in Strand, Eerste River and Khayelitsha.

A mental-health symposium is also planned for August, bringing together professionals and stakeholders to share knowledge and strengthen collaboration in mental-healthcare.

A message of hope

For those who may be hesitant to seek help, the team at Thrive@Busamed has a clear message.

“Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness,” Dlova said. “Mental-health challenges are just as important as physical health, and early support can make a significant difference in recovery. Taking that first step may feel difficult, but it can be life-changing.”

Looking ahead

The launch of Thrive@Busamed marks a significant milestone for Busamed Paardevlei Private Hospital and for the communities it serves.

With plans to expand bed capacity, broaden its service offering and grow its community outreach footprint, the unit is positioned to become a cornerstone of mental-healthcare in the Western Cape.

For the hospital it is a reaffirmation of its commitment to comprehensive, patient-centred healthcare – one that recognises that true wellbeing encompasses both the mind and the body.

 For referrals or more information, call Thrive@Busamed on 021 840 6614 or email info@busamedthrive.co.za.