Mediclinic Vergelegen has added specialist psychiatrist Dr Keagan Clay to its multidisciplinary team, expanding the hospital’s specialist healthcare offering in the Helderberg.
Access to specialist psychiatric care in the Helderberg has expanded with Dr Keagan Clay now in private practice at Mediclinic Vergelegen.
For many years, residents seeking specialist psychiatric care often travelled to Stellenbosch or Cape Town because local options were limited. Dr Clay’s arrival now gives patients the opportunity to consult a specialist psychiatrist at the hospital.
After Mediclinic Vergelegen announced earlier this month that Dr Clay had opened a private practice at the hospital, I contacted the hospital to learn more about what his appointment means for psychiatric healthcare in the Helderberg.
In a statement provided for publication, Marquin Crotz, Hospital General Manager at Mediclinic Vergelegen, said the hospital sees the new practice as an important addition to specialist care in the region.
“Mediclinic Vergelegen is pleased to welcome Dr Keagan Clay to our multidisciplinary team of specialists. The opening of his private practice represents an important step in strengthening access to specialist mental healthcare for patients in the Helderberg region,” said Crotz.
A multidisciplinary approach
According to Mediclinic Vergelegen, Dr Clay will work alongside its existing specialists and healthcare professionals to provide expert psychiatric assessment and management for patients requiring specialist mental health support.
The hospital says Dr Clay’s appointment strengthens its multidisciplinary approach to patient care by enabling closer collaboration between specialists and other healthcare professionals.
Dr Clay also completed a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry. His areas of interest include adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, neurodevelopmental disorders and neuropsychiatry.
Supporting holistic patient care
While Mediclinic Vergelegen does not currently provide dedicated inpatient psychiatric services, it says it recognises the growing importance of mental health as an integral part of overall wellbeing.
Crotz said having a psychiatrist consulting at the hospital enables greater collaboration across disciplines and supports the holistic management of patients whose physical and mental health needs are often closely interconnected.
“The introduction of psychiatric consulting services reflects our commitment to improving access to quality specialist care where there is an identified need. As with all specialist services, future developments will be guided by community healthcare needs, patient demand, and the availability of appropriately qualified specialists.”
For Helderberg residents, Dr Clay’s arrival means there is now another local option for specialist psychiatric care, bringing another specialist service closer to home.
