About the Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine

The Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine at the University of Cape Town is internationally recognised for its excellence in clinical service, teaching, and research. Based at Groote Schuur Hospital—the University’s principal teaching hospital—the Department provides anaesthetic services to a network of affiliated teaching hospitals throughout Cape Town. These include:

  • Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory

  • Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Rondebosch

  • New Somerset Hospital, Green Point

  • Mowbray Maternity Hospital, Mowbray

  • Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital, Observatory

Situated on the slopes of Table Mountain, Groote Schuur Hospital has been at the heart of numerous medical milestones. We are proud to have provided anaesthesia for the world’s first human heart transplant, and we continue to lead in cardiac anaesthesia and perioperative care for complex procedures.

We deliver a wide range of mainly tertiary-level anaesthesia services, supporting all major surgical disciplines. Our team also manages several high-acuity units, including intensive care, pain management, and post-operative care. The Department plays a central role in the education of undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as the training of specialist anaesthetists.

Our Divisions

The Department is structured into five major divisions, each contributing to our mission of delivering expert, evidence-based, and compassionate care:

Acute Pain Services

Focusing on postoperative care, this division uses advanced pain management techniques including epidurals, wound and perineural catheters, and patient-controlled analgesia systems to optimise recovery and comfort.

Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia

This division provides anaesthesia for the full spectrum of cardiac and thoracic procedures—from complex paediatric cases and grown-up congenital heart disease to minimally invasive valve repairs (TAVIs), and heart transplants. The team continues the legacy of pioneering cardiac work initiated at Groote Schuur.

Chronic Pain Management Clinic

A multidisciplinary clinic that offers comprehensive assessment and management of chronic pain. Our team includes anaesthetists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, working collaboratively to restore patients to optimal functionality through individualised care.

Critical Care

The Department co-manages several multidisciplinary Intensive Care Units, caring for patients with severe trauma, organ transplants, high-risk obstetric conditions, and post-surgical complications. These units serve as vital training grounds for registrars, nurses, technologists, and allied health professionals.

Paediatric Anaesthesia

Based primarily at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital,  it offers anaesthesia across various specialities, including cardiac surgery, liver transplantation, burns, neurosurgery, and complex sedation. The hospital also supports a busy Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and plays a key role in training future paediatric anaesthetists.

A Legacy of Innovation

Beyond its clinical and academic functions, the Department is also home to the Nagin Parbhoo Museum, which showcases the rich history of anaesthesia through a unique collection of vintage equipment and artefacts dating back to the 1800s. This museum reflects the Department’s long-standing tradition of innovation and service.