A PROUD HISTORY OF INNOVATION

Established in 1920 (appointment of Professor Cuthbert Crichton)
Oldest South African Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
During it's illustrious history it has been served by only five full-time professors acting as Heads of Department, each of whom has made their own unique contribution to teaching, service and research
The UCT Department established the first South African Community Obstetric service (The Peninsula Maternal and Neonatal Service) that is now regarded as a model for all primary health care medicine, nationally and internationally. This service came into being in 1980, a full ten years or more ahead of current primary health care initiatives.
The Department developed the first clinic to provide care to postmenopausal women. At the time, this service was internationally unique and the forerunner of many dedicated clinics that now provide similar services.
The first South African obstetric ultrasound unit was created by the Department in 1970. This unit continues to function as a multi-disciplinary fetal medicine unit.
The first gynaecological endocrine clinic was established by the Department in 1972 and developed into the Reproductive Medicine Unit. The first sperm bank in South Africa was established at Groote Schuur Hospital in 1981. The Reproductive Medicine Unit remains the only South African University-based service dedicated to all aspects of reproductive medicine supplying services to indigent patients.
The Department developed the first dedicated obstetric intensive care service in 1989. This remains the only such unit in Africa and has attracted postgraduate students from many countries.
The Department has a well-established gynaecological oncology service which is the first and presently the only unit in the Country recognised by the British Royal College as a sub-speciality training unit
Most recently, Professor Zephne van der Spuy was appointed as the first woman Head of an Obstetric and Gynaecological Department in South Africa.