The Western Cape (WC) Health and Wellness Department has noted that increased pressure is placed on emergency services every festive season as population movement, travel and celebrations lead to a predictable surge in emergencies.
Between 15 December 2025 and 14 January 2026, Emergency Centres across the province reportedly treated more than 130 000 patients, while Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to over 47 000 incidents.
Taken together, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness responded to more than 177 000 emergency cases during this period.
According to EMS Director Craig Wylie, EMS teams responded to a total of 47 351 emergency calls across all districts, with the highest demand recorded in the City of Cape Town, Garden Route and Cape Winelands.
Wylie says trauma remained a major driver of demand, with EMS responding to 7 353 assault related cases and 1 437 motor vehicle incidents. Seasonal risks also increased, with 93 drowning incidents and multiple wilderness and Table Mountain rescues.
“The EMS teams have demonstrated exceptional commitment and resilience. Our call takers, dispatchers and ambulance crews have answered thousands of urgent pleas for help, often under challenging conditions, and kept going with professionalism and heart.” added Wylie
Meanwhile, Emergency Centres recorded a total of 130 004 patient admissions, including 29 272 trauma cases and 93 755 non-trauma cases.
The highest patient volumes were recorded at Mitchells Plain District Hospital, Paarl Hospital, George Regional Hospital, Helderberg Hospital and Wesfleur Hospital. Specialised trauma centres, including Groote Schuur Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital, also recorded a high proportion of trauma cases due to their referral role.
According to the department, from 15 December 2025 to 14 January 2026, most children seen in ECs were treated mainly for non-trauma-related conditions, while falls and accidental injuries remained the leading causes of injury.
The department added that the Forensic Pathology Service also confirmed 941 deaths during the reporting period. This is in line with the previous year, when 940 fatalities were recorded.
Declines were recorded in homicide and suicide fatalities, while deaths related to road traffic incidents increased from 89 in 2024/25 to 117 in 2025/26.
“As the festive period ended, we thank our teams for their unwavering commitment, professionalism and compassion in delivering medico legal services under challenging circumstances,” said Director for Forensic Pathology Services in the Western Cape, Vonita Thompson
Meanwhile, WC Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, expressed her gratitude to all healthcare teams and residents for working with the Department over this period.
“I want to sincerely thank every healthcare worker, from EMS crews on the road to teams in our hospitals, clinics and emergency centres, who kept showing up for our patients often under demanding conditions.” added Wenger
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