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The GRITT programme trains multidisciplinary teams to work together more effectively in emergencies. Launched at Mediclinic Sandton in late 2025, it will expand to other Mediclinic hospitals in 2026.
“In a country of around 64 million people, South Africa is ranked as one of the top five most violent nations in the world,” says Mediclinic Sandton specialist trauma surgeon Dr Rudo Pswarayi, who heads up the pioneering GRITT training programme.
Providing specifically South African trauma training
South Africa’s struggle with violence and trauma is compounded by a lack of training designed for local realities, Dr Pswarayi notes. “There are brilliant trauma training courses for doctors, but they’re designed by Americans and violence in our country has a completely different profile,” she explains. While medical teams have the expertise to manage trauma, there are very few formal South African courses that provide guidance and training on caring for trauma patients.
Dr Pswarayi points out that doctors, nurses, and paramedics are usually trained independently and don’t get to work together during training. “GRITT aims to provide a course for all healthcare professionals who manage trauma patients, from pre-hospital care to the EC and ICU. We bring together doctors, nurses, and pre-hospital teams – from basic to advanced paramedics.” The course can be offered at each medical facility.
The origins of GRITT
After joining Mediclinic in May 2025, Dr Pswarayi met Dr Robyn Holgate, ER24 Chief Medical Officer, to explore ways to support Mediclinic’s ECs in managing trauma patients. Dr Pswarayi, who is also pursuing her PhD in trauma and health economics, agreed to write manuals on trauma and acute care surgery. “They included many practical skills, so the intent was that the medical team read the manual and I conduct a course or some form of teaching with them, aiming to enhance and improve care for patients.”
With limited time to lead the programme herself, she was thrilled when a chance meeting with Epic EM, the team behind the GRITT programme, led to a Mediclinic-endorsed training collaboration. The company, which trains emergency professionals and first responders, provided technical, staffing, and financial support, using Dr Pswarayi’s manuals as a foundation. With support from Mediclinic’s learning and development team, the course was accredited for doctors, nurses, and paramedics, who earn CPD points on completion.
GRITT includes a four-week online module with PowerPoint presentations and lecture podcasts, plus tests on the material. Once completed, there are two days of intensive in-person practical training, with instructors, paramedics, nurses, doctors, surgeons, and emergency specialists demonstrating the skills. Each group has 12-22 students, including doctors, paramedics, and nursing staff.
“Mediclinic Sandton gave us the space for the pilot project,” says Dr Pswarayi, “and also supplied the teaching materials. They were key to getting the project off the ground.”
Improving communication and patient outcomes
In 2026, the GRITT programme will officially be rolled out to Mediclinic hospitals around the country. It will also be open to hospitals outside the Mediclinic Group. “The intention is for GRITT to eventually become one of the required courses to work in ECs,” Dr Pswarayi says.
She explains that the training is ultimately about helping patients survive and recover better. It also improves communication and teamwork by teaching all healthcare professionals together, so they develop a common language. This prevents miscommunication during handovers between paramedics, doctors, and nurses and ensures everyone understands the patient’s urgent needs.
“It removes the barriers of hierarchy and rather fosters a common mutual respect for each person’s role,” she continues. “By recognising where everyone’s strengths lie, we enhance our common goal of better managing trauma patients.”
Doctors 1
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