{"id":24556,"date":"2025-08-22T11:47:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T09:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=24556"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:59:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:59:18","slug":"chris-hani-baragwanath-hospital-adjusts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/chris-hani-baragwanath-hospital-adjusts\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Adjusts Visiting Hours from September 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Johannesburg\u2019s Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), Africa\u2019s largest hospital and Gauteng\u2019s busiest medical facility, will enforce new visiting hours from 1 September 2025. Visiting times will move from the current 14h00\u201316h00 slot to 13h00\u201315h00, weekends included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hospital says the decision is more than just moving the clock forward. It is a deliberate step to strengthen patient recovery, curb infection risks, and create a smoother environment for staff and patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>READ MORE:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/visiting-hour-changes-support-infection-control-at-gautengs-biggest-hospital\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> How Visiting Hour Changes Support Infection Control at Gauteng\u2019s Biggest Hospital<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-the-change-matters\">Why the Change Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>CHBAH treats thousands of patients daily from Soweto, Johannesburg, and beyond. With such a heavy patient load, even small operational changes ripple through the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hospital CEO Dr Nthabiseng Makgana emphasised that the change aligns visiting hours with clinical workflows. \u201cThis adjustment helps us reduce disruptions to medical routines, support recovery, and tighten infection control measures,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By freeing up the mornings and evenings, doctors and nurses can complete ward rounds and procedures without interruptions. Patients, in turn, get longer uninterrupted stretches of rest\u2014a crucial factor in recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3973890781\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content\" 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-balancing-family-support-and-medical-needs\">Balancing Family Support and Medical Needs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital stressed that the decision followed extensive consultation with staff, organised labour, and clinical departments. Families remain central to the healing process, and the hospital has protected that role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exceptions will continue for children, patients in critical care, and those in end-of-life situations. Under these circumstances, visits will be arranged with compassion by clinical staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese exceptions allow families to be present during the most critical times while maintaining the integrity of patient care,\u201d Dr Makgana said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fighting-rumours-and-misinformation\">Fighting Rumours and Misinformation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Earlier in the year, social media buzz suggested CHBAH planned to charge visitors a fee. The hospital swiftly dismissed the claims, clarifying that the review focused only on visiting times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the review now concluded, management urged the public to respect the changes. \u201cBy cooperating with the new schedule, families will help us maintain a safer and more organised care environment,\u201d hospital leadership noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2529736581\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content\" 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-towards-safer-more-organised-care\">Towards Safer, More Organised Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Security and movement inside the hospital also influenced the decision. With earlier hours, CHBAH expects to manage entrances and wards more efficiently, reducing congestion and boosting safety for patients, staff, and visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Motalatale Modiba, Head of Communication for the Gauteng Department of Health, called the change to Baragwanath, a milestone. \u201cThese adjustments are a step forward in ensuring Bara continues to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to the communities it serves,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-linked-to-ongoing-reforms\">Linked to Ongoing Reforms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The shift in visiting hours comes as CHBAH and the provincial health department roll out broader reforms. In August, Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko unveiled a new borehole and a 10 000-litre water tanker at the hospital to reduce the impact of municipal water cuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Together, these efforts highlight the hospital\u2019s drive to adapt and improve\u2014even under pressure from limited resources and overwhelming demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-578418776\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content\" 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-community-response\">Community Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For Sowetans, CHBAH is more than just a hospital\u2014it is a lifeline. Families count on being able to see their loved ones. While the two-hour visiting window remains unchanged in length, some residents worry the earlier slot will clash with work schedules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Health activists acknowledged the concern but urged the public to focus on the bigger picture. \u201cNot everyone can step away from work at lunchtime,\u201d one campaigner admitted, \u201cbut these reforms put the patient first\u2014and that is what matters most.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Others welcomed the change, pointing out that earlier visiting times mean patients can rest longer into the evening without disturbances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-patient-centred-care-in-action\">Patient-Centred Care in Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Adjusting visiting hours is not unique to South Africa. Hospitals worldwide adapt schedules to balance family support, infection control, and clinical routines. What makes CHBAH\u2019s decision stand out is its context\u2014South Africa\u2019s biggest hospital, under constant strain, has signalled that patient recovery will remain at the centre of operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Gauteng Department of Health reinforced this point, saying the goal is to create \u201ca healing environment that balances the needs of patients, families, and healthcare professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2203988936\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content\" 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-looking-ahead\">Looking Ahead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From 1 September, families must plan their visits between 13h00 and 15h00 daily, including weekends. Staff will make special arrangements when critical circumstances require flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hospital insists the adjustment is not about keeping families away but about protecting patients. With beds constantly full and demand unrelenting, CHBAH must strike a balance between efficient operations and compassionate care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-final-word\">Final Word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.gov.za\/News\/NewsDetails\/%7B0a11c25e-48fe-4f31-b45b-a5503a3b3362%7D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">new visiting hours<\/a> at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital mark a practical response to modern healthcare pressures. The change shows a facility listening to staff, patients, and the community, and adapting to safeguard both treatment quality and human dignity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Gauteng\u2019s healthcare system continues to evolve, CHBAH\u2019s reforms highlight a future where hospitals are not only centres of treatment but also places of rest, safety, and healing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Johannesburg\u2019s Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), Africa\u2019s largest hospital and Gauteng\u2019s busiest medical facility, will enforce new visiting hours from 1 September 2025. Visiting times will move from the current 14h00\u201316h00 slot to 13h00\u201315h00, weekends included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":24568,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Johannesburg\u2019s Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), Africa\u2019s largest hospital and Gauteng\u2019s busiest medical facility, will enforce new visiting hours from 1 September 2025. Visiting times will move from the current 14h00\u201316h00 slot to 13h00\u201315h00, weekends included.","footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[608,10962],"class_list":{"0":"post-24556","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-gauteng-department-of-health","9":"tag-september-2025"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24556","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=24556"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24556\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24570,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24556\/revisions\/24570"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}