Med24 Montana 2.43

OUR HISTORY

Med24 Montana was founded in 1995 after discussions took place amongst various general practitioners in Pretoria, concerning the possibility to cooperate with each other to deliver a more effective medical service in their specific geographical area. (This was the era when 2 or 3 doctors, each with their own private practice, had an informal arrangement to help each other out over weekends, where the doctor on call had emergency consulting hours Saturday night, Sunday mornings and Sunday nights or had to get out of bed at 2 o’clock in the morning and travel to the consulting room to see a patient with an emergency!)

The proposed concept entailed an agreement amongst willing doctors to participate in a group practice, to deliver a 24 hour medical service for patients in their area. This meant that patients would have access to a general practitioner day and night, around the clock. (At this time, there were only 3 centers in Pretoria, delivering a 24 hour consultation service, with the then HF Verwoerd Hospital, being the major emergency center). The participating doctors took turns, working varying shifts to deliver this service. This was supported by a dispensary and nearby radiology facility. At the time the practice employed its own nursing and admin staff to assist the doctors in their service.

The group practice, currently known as Dr AF Coertze & Assoc. Inc. (t/a Med24 Montana), started off in the Kruin Centre, Magalieskruin (a northern suburb of Pretoria). Several name changes took place as doctors left or entered the practice. Med24 Montana was the first group practice of its kind, founded on the concept that only doctors with an existing practice in the area, may participate in this venture. This also meant that doctors were able to take time off with the peace of mind that their patients were looked after when he or she was not available, instead of having to carry a “bleeper” day and night (before the era of cellphones!).

The participants also had access to “specialized equipment” amongst other, a treadmill ECG and lung function apparatus (which was not standard in all practices). This enhanced the level of service of each individual practice to a great extent.

Over the years, the geographical area north of the Magaliesberg range, expanded with development. Part of this expansion included the building of a new private hospital in the area, which was later incorporated in the Netcare group. During the planning phase, the group practice was requested by the developers of the hospital, to move into the emergency department of the hospital and to continue the practice as a formal emergency practice.

The latter changed the whole concept and basic principle of existence of the original group practice. At this time, only one of the directors had some formal training in emergency medicine and it meant that all participating doctors had to obtain qualifications in emergency medicine. Several doctors left the practice while the rest obtained the required additional qualifications to become formally versed in the management of medical emergencies in line with international standards.

At present, the practice (consisting of emergency care doctors and their admin staff) is an independent emergency medical practice, situated and supported by the skilled nursing staff of the Netcare Montana Hospital. The emergency service delivered by the doctors and staff is also complemented by the support of specialists in various medical disciplines, viz. radiology, pathology, general surgery, neurosurgery, spinal surgery, orthopaedic surgery, vascular surgery, thoracic surgery, urology, ophthalmology, gynaecology & obstetrics, ENT surgeons, maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, general physicians, cardiology, pediatricians, renal dialysis, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and dieticians.