WELCOME TO OUR PRACTICE
Our practice is situated at Cintocare Hospital in Menlyn, Pretoria. A new, state of the art specialised head, neck, spinal and vascular surgery hospital. The first Green Star SA Custom Healthcare Designed certified hospital in South Africa, and the first Green Star rated healthcare facility on the African continent!
The multidisciplinary team approach provide complimenting expertise in this world-class centre of excellence. A green design has been found to deliver 15% faster recovery rates, 22% reduction in the need for pain medication, 11% reduction in secondary infections and 8,5% reduction in the length hospital stay.
Neurosurgery requires the highest level of knowledge and mastery in the latest techniques and technologies. Dr Francois Swart is a specialist neurosurgeon with more than 20 years' experience and is trained in performing complex surgeries on the spine and brain.
Dr Swart often takes a progressive approach, involving non-surgical or conservative treatment options first. If surgery is indicated, the most advanced, high-quality care available, is provided.
The many testimonials of satisfied patients are testimony to Dr Swart's dedication to patients and their families (see Ratemds.com and testimonials on this site).
Dr Francois Swart
SPECIALIST NEUROSURGEON
MBCHB DA DipPEC
M Med
MEET THE REST OF THE TEAM
DR ELMARI CRAIG
Dr Swart is married to Dr Elmari Craig, an
internationally certified Clinical Sexologist, Relationship Therapist, Psychotherapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist.
Apart from her own private practice, Dr Craig will sometimes support patients and their families before, during and after surgery, especially awake Craniotomy Surgery.
She is also responsible for the creation and maintenance of the website, and the management of all the social media platforms.
Comments, compliments or complaints may be sent to:
elmaricraig.drswartpractice@gmail.com
They love their family and six pets. They describe themselves as 'closet pyromaniacs' as they love sitting next to a fire, whether they are at home, in the Bushveld or in the Kalahari - their three favourite places to be!
ANNIE DU PLESSIS
Receptionist/Patient Liaison
Annie forms an integral part of the practice and is the first friendly voice you will hear and face you will see.
She has been Dr Swart’s right-hand since day one. She will gladly assist you with scheduling your appointments and any general queries you may have.
Annie has an exceptional ability to solve problems and smooth the path for patients, as can be seen in the many testimonials to her dedication and excellent service.
Phone number: 012 945 3028/9
Email address: annie.drfs@gmail.com
JOLENE HEWITT
Accounts and Medical Aid Enquiries
Jolene is a miracle worker and general 'fixer' for the practice and another friendly face you will see at reception. She performs many of her duties behind the scenes.
Spending hours on the phone procuring medical aid authorisations, arranging logistics for operations and generating invoices and cost estimations.
The massive administrative undertaking to get a patient to surgery is made easy for you, by Jolene and Annie, alike!
Email address: jolene.drfs@gmail.com
SHAUN STEYN
Clinical Assistant
Shaun is Dr Swart's assistant and a qualified Operating Department Practitioner. He has been working with Dr Swart for many years and his calm nature is palpable in theatre. He is also the practice's IT wizard and general support structure.
ABOUT DOCTOR SWART
Dr Francois Swart is a specialist neurosurgeon and has more than twenty years’ experience in neurosurgery. He performs a range of cranial, spinal and peripheral procedures.
He has a special interest in the resection of brain lesions whilst minimising neurological deficit.
He believes in a multi-disciplinary and patient-centered approach - to obtain the best sustainable outcomes. Dr Swart is an advocate of techniques such as Fluorescence Guided Resection, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Neuromodulation for functional disorders.
He was a member of the team who first did the Gamma Knife procedure in South Africa.
Dr Swart obtained his Medical Degree: MBChB Cum Laude, from the University of Pretoria in 1995.
He holds a post-graduate diploma in Anaesthetics (DA) from The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, as well as a post-graduate diploma from The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa in Primary Emergency Care (Dip PEC).
His postgraduate specialisation was overseen by The University of Pretoria, and he is one of only a handful of neurosurgeons in South Africa, who obtained the Masters Degree: MMed – Neurosurgery, Cum Laude.
He was selected to complete a prestigious Medtronic International Education Programme for Young Neurosurgeons (YNTP) in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Movement Disorders like Parkinson’s disease. In this respect he attended YNTP endorsed training centers in Switzerland at the University Hospital Zürich as well as in The United Kingdom at The National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery in London.
He has previously acted as faculty for the international organisation AOspine and is a member of The Society of Neurosurgeons of South Africa and The South African Spine Society.
Dr Swart performs Awake Craniotomies (also called Awake Brain Surgery) where indicated. A procedure performed on the brain while a patient is awake and alert.
Awake brain surgery is used to treat some brain (neurological) conditions, including some brain tumors or epileptic seizures. If the tumor or the area of the brain where the seizures occur (epileptic focus) is near the parts of the brain that control vision, movement or speech, a patient may need to be awake during surgery. For this Dr Swart utilises a multi-professional team, in line with global best practices, where a mental health professional is part of the team and offers support to both the patient and their significant others in the process before, during and after the surgery.
Dr Swart is dedicated to offering patients options for the least invasive procedures, with the best sustainable and long-term results.
He prides himself on his listening skills and caring bedside-manner.
A VISUAL GLIMPSE OF OUR PRACTICE
