About the Facility

The comprehensive WCRC rehabilitation package spans medical and nursing care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, dietetics, and speech therapy services. Additional support services include a wheelchair repair workshop, pharmacy, and radiography. The WCRC’s commitment extends to a fully functioning Outpatients Department (OPD) and specialist clinics for scoliosis, spinal issues, amputations, and wheelchair seating.

Beyond its healthcare offerings, WCRC distinguishes itself with unique features 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 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 Out-Patient Department. Notably, WCRC, as a physical rehabilitation center, does not provide trauma, acute, or post-acute medical services.

Facility Board Initiatives

The board is committed to fostering inclusive participation in the facilities as well as beyond through its various initiatives. It hosts fund-raising activities in collaboration with staff to raise funds that will support initiatives in the facilities for both patients and staff. Some of the initiatives that are funded by the board are listed below.

For Patients, we have the following annually:

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.
Nursing project to provide therapeutic and skills enhancing activities to clients over weekends
Social Workers department project to empower clients and facilitate re-integration into the community which includes training through the use of peer supporters and trainers.
Golf Day
Health and Wellness Centre (includes Gymnasium and Swimming programs for all persons with disabilities within the community and WCRC in-patients.)
International Day of Persons with disabilities
Spinal cord injury day
Seating clinics
Stroke awareness
World mental health day
The Outeniqua Chair Challenge Wheelchair Race (in George)

For Staff, we support the following annual initiatives:

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.

WCRC History

The Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre (WCRC) unveiled its specialized health facility on the Lentegeur Hospital site in October 2004, as Jenny Hendry’s insightful article from November 2006 details the genesis and accomplishments of WCRC, underscoring its commitment to holistic rehabilitation.

This cutting-edge 156-bed facility, dedicated to the rehabilitation of individuals with physical disabilities, emerges from the amalgamation of Conradie Hospital Rehabilitation Services, including the Spinal Cord Injury Unit, and Karl Bremer Rehabilitation Services. Relocating to new premises marked a milestone in October 2004, establishing WCRC as a vital resource serving the entire Western Cape Province. The reach extends beyond provincial borders, with spinal cord injury patients referred from as far as the Northern- and Eastern Cape Provinces.

Under the stewardship of the Hospital Manager and institution head, 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 programs, focusing on traumatic spinal cord and brain injuries, as well as various neurological conditions.