Medical interns at Groote Schuur Hospital trained to combat intimate partner violence

In recognition of Women’s Month, 50 medical interns at Groote Schuur Hospital received specialised training on how to sensitively screen for intimate partner violence (IPV) and administer a rape kit.

They received the training on Thursday, August 7, at Groote Schuur Hospital.

According to the MEC for Provincial Health and Wellness,  Mireille Wenger, Groote Schuur medical interns join hundreds of doctors, nurses, clerks, and even cleaners at Groote Schuur and Mitchell's Plain Hospitals who have already been trained to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care to survivors of violence.

Ms Wenger said this is an ongoing partnership with the Groote Schuur Hospital Trust (GSHT) to make healthcare facilities a safe and supportive entry point for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and IPV.

The IPV Intervention Project was launched by the provincial health and wellness department in 2022, which aims to make early intervention possible through routine screening for IPV, conducted by specially trained nurses.

According to the Provincial Health and Wellness department, nearly 30 000 women have been screened at Groote Schuur and Mitchells Plain Hospitals.

“These routine screenings offer a critical opportunity to identify and support women, many of whom seek medical help long before disclosing any abuse. Early engagement can be the first step toward safety and healing,” said Ms Wenger.

The programme takes an integrated approach to care:

 - Patients are screened using a simple 7-question digital survey.

 - Those who screen positive are offered immediate onsite counselling or can choose to receive information on how to access help later.

 - Healthcare workers may also refer suspected cases directly to an on-site GBV social worker.

  -Referrals are made, where needed, to external services such as the police service, shelters, or legal support.

  - Follow-up with patients takes place two to three weeks after the initial counselling session.

Ms Wenger commended this initiative.

“IPV and GBV can have a devastating impact on any woman and her family, and it often feels incredibly isolating. We know that many women turn to healthcare services before they report abuse. That is why our healthcare facilities must be safe harbours for survivors,” she said.

Ms Wenger said this programme empowers both the staff and the patients with the tools, knowledge, and community they need to take the first steps out of harmful situations.

“And it’s already making a difference, more than 1 200 women chose to receive counselling after screening, and 418 were referred to external support partners,” she said.

“Following the success of the programme at Groote Schuur and Mitchells Plain Hospitals, the Groote Schuur Hospital Trust is now exploring how to expand the intervention to hospitals across the province, where plans are under way to launch this programme at Heideveld Community Health Centre later this year.”

Director of GSHT, Kristy Evans, shared Ms Wenger’s vision.

“Every day, women walk into our hospitals carrying more than illness. Many carry the silent weight of violence. This intervention gives them a moment of safety, of being seen and supported, often for the first time,” she said.

Ms Evans said this programme also changed how their healthcare workers respond, with compassion and care.

“The scourge of GBV and IPV can be defeated when we work together, drawing on the strength of partnerships, building awareness, and ensuring every person in the healthcare system knows what to look out for,” she said.

Ms Evans said she is hopeful that this initiative will be expanded to every hospital in the province, and she is enormously grateful to the Hospital Trust for enabling this important work.