Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (Bara) is massive. It’s the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and the third-largest in the world, with around 3,200 beds and 6,760 personnel!

Being that big comes with perks, and the wide range of specialised departments is one of them. Their ICU alone has units for cardiology, renal, psychiatry, respiratory, and gastroenterology.

Some of my workmates and my interviewees who’ve been admitted here also described the nurses and doctors as mostly cordial, efficient, and attentive. That’s good to know, considering they handle about 50,000 patients annually.

They also have a strong trauma research program.

In terms of waiting times, it’s a mixed experience. Some didn’t have to wait for an hour, while others claimed nothing had been accomplished in a day.

The parking situation is a real headache, though. It tends to get clogged, the signs can be misleading, and you have to walk a fair bit before reaching the hospital.

Unwavering Commitment

I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding service provided by the doctors and nurses in Ward 17 Paediatrics. The doctors demonstrate unwavering commitment to their patients, working tirelessly to ensure their recovery. Throughout my stay, I observed numerous children showing significant improvement. The nurses play a vital role in maintaining a smooth and efficient environment, delivering compassionate care to each child. Parents can have peace of mind knowing their children are in capable hands. When my daughter suffered an asthma attack, the doctors responded promptly and effectively, delaying her discharge until she was fully recovered. I am deeply indebted to the doctors and nurses from Ward 17 and wish them all the best.

Nonhlanhla senneloe, Google Review

Super Nice

The receptionist is Super nice and she informed me with everything ii wanted to hear and more, she answered all questions and gave me more info ii love her so much.

Peggy, Google Review

Longevity is something Tambo Memorial Hospital can be proud of. Its roots date back to 1905!

The hospital’s services are extensive as well. You can go here for internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, orthopaedics, gynaecology, ENT, and even dermatology, which other entries don’t offer.

What’s more, they have highly specialised clinics, such as antenatal care, wound care, and ARV.

Their pediatric and maternity care seem to get most of the praise, as well as the wards treating emergencies and elderly patients.

The bed count is low at just 540 beds. That means spots can be taken quickly, but the overcrowding situation is far less hectic, especially compared to centres with over 1,000 beds.

Sadly, you must still prepare for the long wait times, often topping an hour, with a few interviewees claiming they queued for about 9–12 hours!

Communication needs improvement, too. The front desk has been seen as unfriendly.

Very Attentive

The psychiatrist I saw was very attentive and she created a safe space for me to open up about one of the most traumatic experiences I’ve had in my childhood. Now I feel relieved and I’m looking forward to my healing journey. The security guards are also very jolly people who love cracking jokes which can make you forget about the troubles you’re in for that moment.

Palesa Mosehle, Google Review

Super Caring

I’d like take this opportunity to thank the staff at TMH From the ANC department. Such lovely nurses/ dr’s there. To the nurses at Ward 7A. Had to do an emergency c-section they explained to me the whole process. As nervous as I was but I was assured that everything will go well and indeed everything was perfect. Came back with my babies. The staff at Ward 6 were super caring 🥺❤️ up until the day I was discharged.

A week later, 1 of my babies was admitted. The Dr’s at casualty were super efficient. I didn’t wait for a long time, she was admitted to the paediatric ward 12 🥺❤️. Man, the staff were so kind. They took good care of me and my baby girl. From the Matron there, nurses in charge Mamzo at the Milk room—they do their work out of love and go the extra mile to assist if there’s something you don’t understand. The senior drs who were dealing with my daughter’s case did an exceptional job. I’d be lying if I say I was mistreated, those women run a tight ship in that Ward 12 (Paediatric ward).

I really hope they see this because I was treated with kindness throughout that difficult situation but they made life easy for me. May GOD almighty protect nd bless them. ♥️🥺

Mandy Ngilima, Google Review

The cleanliness of Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital’s (formerly the Coronation Hospital) repeatedly came up. Specifically, past patients tagged its public areas and wards as well-maintained.

Their medical team has also been labelled strict…in the best way possible. Better yet, they respond fast when needed (just raise your voice, since call bells are lacking).

For us, though, the hospital’s biggest asset is its comprehensiveness and manageable setup. Antenatal, neonatal, paediatric, and emergency care are all ticked, with 20–30 beds only, allowing for dedicated nursing support.

That doesn’t mean waiting times are instant, sadly. Queuing up for an hour or longer happens a lot here.

The long wait gets even tougher with uncomfortable seating, hardly what you’d hope for in a maternity care centre.

On the upside, it’s just a 16-minute drive from the Johannesburg CBD.

Exceptional Service

I went to Coronation Hospital after waiting the whole night to get service at Hillbrow General Hospital. I went there around 6:15 and within 1 hour my daughter was assisted. Thank you so much for exceptional service from the two doctors on duty 15/08/2025, nurse and the entire staff.

Cynthia Ndlovu, Google Review

Clean, Friendly

The hospital is clean, friendly stuff from security, Nurses and Doctors. They were able to assist my mom after 4 years being sick without getting help from KZN. Their staff really love their jobs, thank you so much for your excellent service.

Meisie Lethiwe, Google Review

My experience with Helen Joseph Hospital is mixed, but I’ll start with the advantages, particularly the medical team members of ward 5 (orthopaedics). Personally, I was treated there by empathetic and responsive nurses.

Another pro is communication. The front desk and guards were generally efficient at explaining how the hospital works (including the pharmacy), so I didn’t wander around clueless.

As for overall cleanliness, it’s a hit or miss. Facilities are clean in the morning, but don’t be shocked if they get messy later in the day, especially the toilets.

Queues can be a test of patience as well; I waited for nearly an hour, while some did for 4 hours or more. High-volume departments, such as the Emergency Department, have it worse.

Thankfully, getting here from the city centre doesn’t take an hour’s drive. From my experience, the drive time is between 16 and 18 minutes.

Treated Promptly

We were very happy with our experience in Ward 17 at Helen Joseph. Our brother was treated promptly with scans and tests. He was treated with friendly kindness. The doctor, Dr Ndaba, called us in for a consultation. He was most professional and helped us to understand the problem. Our brother was helped and left the hospital treated and well. Thank you to the staff.

Gillian Bentley, Google Review

Went Over and Above

Flowers to Dr Setzen and team at ED for exceptional service going over and above to ensure excellence service delivery taking good care of our loved ones 🙌 👏. She went over and above to identify a problem that other doctors had misdiagnosed and saved my husband’s life. Such excellency is appreciated especially in government hospitals.

Sue, Google Review

Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital is the type of medical centre patients seem to have mixed feelings about.

For example, the nurses of wards 597 and 196 were spoken of positively, with former patients applauding their know-how, attentiveness, and cheerfulness. We can’t say the same for those of wards 194 and 162, which many touted as rude and complacent.

The maternity ward is another area that divides opinion, with most saying the specialists there rarely miss checkups, but the place itself can get too overcrowded.

Fortunately, the security guards are well-regarded, especially the ones at the emergency entrance. They’re quick at assisting visitors and do so politely.

The hospital offering care across a variety of speciality areas is a plus, too. Think cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopaedics, and rheumatology. 

That said, the wait is typically brutal. Some of my workmates, for instance, had experienced queuing here for more than 5 hours.

The Operation Was Successful

I had my 2 year old nephew in for a complex surgical operation. He was in hospital for 16 days. The operation was successful and I was impressed by the level of professionalism, care, humanity and friendliness of the attending medical team. The standard of service was equivalent to that you’d find in private healthcare.

Thabang Makgalemele, Google Review

Everything Went Well

Had my operation done by this hospital on the 20th of May 2025. I just want to say thank you so so much. Everything went well, but most importantly they have the best doctors and nurses. I was treated with so much care. The hospital is clean and up to standard.

Colleen Dicken, Google Review