About the Facility

The comprehensive WCRC inpatient rehabilitation package spans medical and nursing care as well as allied healthcare services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, dietetics, and speech and language therapy. Additional support services include a wheelchair repair workshop, pharmacy, and radiography. The WCRC’s commitment to promoting holistic care extends to a fully functioning Outpatients Department (OPD) and specialist clinics for individuals with scoliosis, spinal issues and amputations, as well as for wheelchair seating and follow up.

Beyond its healthcare offerings, WCRC distinguishes itself with unique facilities like a wheelchair basketball court, obstacle course, time-trial course, and a Health and Wellness Centre, housing an indoor heated swimming pool and gymnasium for patient and community use.

Prospective clients from both public and private sectors can access services by completing an application form or scheduling a full assessment at the Outpatients Department. Notably, WCRC, as a physical rehabilitation centre, does not provide trauma, acute, or post-acute medical services.

Facility Board Initiatives

The Board is committed to fostering inclusive participation at WCRC and beyond through its various initiatives. The Board hosts fundraising events, in collaboration with members of staff, to raise funds that will further support projects initiated at the Centre. Some of the initiatives that are funded by the Board are listed below.

For Patients, projects and events include:

A range of sporting codes, including Wheelchair basketball and Sitting volleyball (offered to inpatients at WCRC with the ultimate aim to aid service users to get involved in sports post discharge or as desired).
Peer Support Programme
Volleyball volunteer
Basketball volunteer
Ballroom dancing volunteer
OT Department project to practice Life Skills & Activities of Daily Living, thus facilitating re-integration into the community and social roles.
Nursing project to provide therapeutic and skill enhancing activities to clients over weekends
Social Workers Department project to empower clients and facilitate safe re-integration into their communities. This includes training through the use of peer supporters and trainers.
Annual Golf Day
Health and Wellness Centre (includes Gymnasium and Swimming programmes for all persons with disabilities at WCRC and within the community)
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
World Spinal Cord Injury Day
Wheelchair Seating Clinics
Stroke Awareness programmes
World Mental Health Day
The annual Outeniqua Chair Challenge Wheelchair Race (in George)

For Staff, we support the following annual initiatives:

International Nurses Day
Social Workers Day
International Day of Speech Therapist
Communication Week
International Physiotherapy Day
International Occupational Therapy Day
WOW Initiative
Employee Wellness Days
World Mental Health Day
IPC Day

Together, we strive to empower individuals and foster a more inclusive community.

“Nothing About Us Without Us

WCRC History

The Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre (WCRC), located on the Lentegeur Hospital site in Mitchell’s Plain, was established in October 2004 as a specialised, comprehensive and interdisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation facility.

The 156-bed facility, dedicated to the rehabilitation of individuals with physical disabilities, emerged from the amalgamation of Conradie Hospital Rehabilitation Services, including the Spinal Cord Injury Unit, and Karl Bremer Rehabilitation Services. Relocation to the new premises and establishment of WCRC was a significant milestone for the Western Cape Province, providing a vital service for its population. The reach of its rehabilitation services extends beyond provincial borders, with patients affected by spinal cord injury referred from as far as the Northern- and Eastern Cape Provinces.

Under the stewardship of the Hospital Manager and institution head, and supported by adept teams of healthcare professionals, the WCRC stands as a beacon of modern rehabilitation. With an investment of R100 million, this state-of-the-art facility offers high-intensity, outcome-based rehabilitation and community reintegration programmes for individuals who have been affected by traumatic spinal cord and brain injuries, as well as various neurological conditions.