{"id":24031,"date":"2025-08-20T12:19:01","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T10:19:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=24031"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:00:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:00:14","slug":"visiting-hour-changes-support-infection-control-at-gautengs-biggest-hospital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/visiting-hour-changes-support-infection-control-at-gautengs-biggest-hospital\/","title":{"rendered":"How Visiting Hour Changes Support Infection Control at Gauteng\u2019s Biggest Hospital"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), better known as Bara, is not only Gauteng&#8217;s largest healthcare institution but also Africa&#8217;s biggest hospital. It treats thousands of patients daily, making it one of the busiest hospitals in the world. Starting 1 September 2025, the hospital will change its visiting hours from 14h00\u201316h00 to 13h00\u201315h00 every day, including weekends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though the change may appear small, hospital management says it is designed to enhance infection control, support faster patient recovery, and streamline operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/expanded-lactation-centre-chris-hani-baragwanath\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Expanded Lactation Centre at Chris Hani Baragwanath Supports More Mothers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-visiting-schedule-carefully-planned\">New Visiting Schedule Carefully Planned<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>CHBAH management explained that the schedule came after months of consultation with clinical teams, unions, and employees. The hospital weighed patient needs against operational realities before deciding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe new schedule aligns visiting hours with clinical workflows, helping patients recover faster, limiting disruptions, and strengthening infection control,\u201d hospital authorities said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-834564964\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-visiting-hours-matter-to-recovery\">Why Visiting Hours Matter to Recovery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Family visits comfort patients, but unrestricted visiting can hinder healing. Busy wards with constant disruptions make it harder for patients to rest or receive uninterrupted care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By condensing visits into a two-hour block, CHBAH aims to give patients longer, uninterrupted rest periods while still allowing family contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis revised schedule improves security management and operational flow within the hospital,\u201d explained Dr Nthabiseng Makgana, Chief Executive Officer of CHBAH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-infection-prevention-at-the-core\">Infection Prevention at the Core<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As Africa\u2019s largest hospital, CHBAH faces significant infection control challenges. With thousands of people passing through daily, limiting exposure is critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The new hours will reduce ward congestion, cut unnecessary exposure, and give staff uninterrupted time to disinfect areas before and after visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr Makgana emphasized: \u201cThis change forms part of broader efforts to enhance the hospital environment and keep patient care as the highest priority.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2870788089\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-supporting-staff-and-clinical-workflows\">Supporting Staff and Clinical Workflows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Doctors and nurses at Bara often attend to hundreds of patients per shift. Visitors at all hours disrupt ward rounds, delay procedures, and complicate workflows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By organising visiting hours around treatment times, staff can focus on patient care without repeated interruptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese changes ensure Bara continues to provide high-quality, compassionate care,\u201d said Gauteng Health Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-compassionate-exceptions-remain\">Compassionate Exceptions Remain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The hospital stressed that the new policy does not block families from supporting patients during vulnerable times. Exceptions will remain for children, intensive care, and end-of-life cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSpecial exceptions will apply where visiting is essential. Our teams will always handle these with sensitivity and compassion,\u201d Dr Makgana confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1272728454\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fighting-social-media-misinformation\">Fighting Social Media Misinformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Earlier this year, rumours spread on social media claiming CHBAH planned to introduce visitor fees. The hospital dismissed the claims, confirming that <strong>visits remain free<\/strong> and that the only change involves visiting times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-enhancing-security-and-flow\">Enhancing Security and Flow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Limiting visiting to two hours also strengthens security. Staff can better monitor movement in and out of wards, reducing risks of theft, overcrowding, and uncontrolled access. Corridor and waiting area bottlenecks will also ease, improving safety and infection control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-262758910\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-model-for-gauteng-healthcare\">A Model for Gauteng Healthcare<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As Gauteng\u2019s flagship hospital, CHBAH often sets the tone for public healthcare. The Department of Health believes this change shows how small operational adjustments can deliver big improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.gov.za\/News\/NewsDetails\/%7B0a11c25e-48fe-4f31-b45b-a5503a3b3362%7D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Gauteng Department of Health<\/a> remains committed to providing a healing environment that benefits patients, families, and healthcare workers,\u201d Modiba added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>CHBAH\u2019s adjustment of visiting hours represents a forward-looking shift in public healthcare. By concentrating visits into a set period, the hospital reduces infection risks, supports faster recovery, and helps staff work more effectively. At the same time, compassionate exceptions ensure families remain part of patient care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This balance between safety and compassion demonstrates how Gauteng\u2019s healthcare system continues to evolve, keeping patients and families at the centre of decision-making.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), better known as Bara, is not only Gauteng&#8217;s largest healthcare institution but also Africa&#8217;s biggest hospital. It treats thousands of patients daily, making it one of the busiest hospitals in the world. Starting 1 September 2025, the hospital will change its visiting hours from 14h00\u201316h00 to 13h00\u201315h00 every day,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":24048,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), better known as Bara, is not only Gauteng's largest healthcare institution but also Africa's biggest...","footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[454,608],"class_list":{"0":"post-24031","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-chris-hani-baragwanath-hospital","9":"tag-gauteng-department-of-health"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24031","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24031"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24031\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24051,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24031\/revisions\/24051"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24048"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24031"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24031"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24031"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}