My mission is to provide high-quality, comprehensive healthcare with a personal touch. I strive to treat each patient with compassion and respect, while offering evidenced based medical care. My approach is holistic and patient-focused, ensuring that all aspects of health is considered in my care plans.
ABOUT ME
I am a proud sixth-generation physician, with a family history of medical professionals dating back to the 1800s. I was born and raised in Cape Town, graduating from the University of Cape Town with an MBChB degree in 2004.
After completing my internship and community service in East London and Empangeni respectively I decided I wanted to travel and expand my medical expertise abroad, practicing in Ireland and Australia (from 2008 - 2016). I completed Specialist Physician Training at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne and was awarded the qualification of Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Returning to South Africa in 2017 with my husband and family with a wealth of global experience, I faced the challenge of re-certifying as a specialist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. I worked as a sub investigator for a multinational Research project on Rheumatic Valvular Heart Disease with Professor Mayosi at UCT. I have since been in both private practice and public healthcare where I held a sessional consultant job and teaching role at Victorian Hospital. I am now based at Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital on the Foreshore in Cape Town.
My diverse training across healthcare systems -- from rural KwaZulu Natal during the HIV pandemic to Ireland, the Australian outback, and metropolitan Melbourne -- has shaped my ability to provide patient-centered care that adapts to cultural, social, and environmental contexts. This experience has taught me to prioritize holistic clinical assessment, treating the whole person, not just their disease, with empathy and cultural sensitivity.
Beyond my clinical duties, I am passionate about medical education and advocacy. I regularly engaged in teaching medical students and junior doctors, aiming to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Dr Julia Girdwood
Specialist Physician
MBChB (UCT) FRACP (AUS) | MP0615889 PR.NO. 1076876
Services
I begin with a thorough assessment to understand your medical history and current health status. This includes a detailed history and examination. I will then recommend further blood tests or diagnostic investigations as required. A detailed evaluation will help craft a precise and effective treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs. You many also require referral to a specific sub-specialist for further evaluation if necessary.
If you are admitted through the emergency department with a specific problem, I will similarly use the above approach until you are well enough to be discharged from hospital and then follow you up in the medical rooms as you continue to get better in order that your medical issues can be further optimized to keep you out of hospital in the future. Ideally, I like to continue this therapeutic relationship long term and like to work as a team with your General Practitioner and sub-specialists to ensure that you remain healthy.
Managing chronic conditions requires expertise, patience, and dedication. I have specialized in treating long-term health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory conditions, offering you both medical treatment and lifestyle advice to control and improve your condition.
Prevention is better than cure. I emphasize preventive measures to keep illness at bay, including vaccinations, regular health screenings, personalized advice on exercise and referral for additional nutritional advice if required, and if indicated, diagnostic testing such as: resting and stress ECG, 24 hour blood pressure and heart rate monitoring and pulmonary function tests. I also ensure that your cancer and osteoporosis screening is up to date. All this is aimed at diagnosing issues early and maintaining your overall well-being.
Understanding your health condition and the factors affecting it is crucial. I like to improve my patient’s health literacy and health autonomy by providing extensive education on various health conditions, treatment options, and preventive practices, empowering you to make informed decisions about your health.
For patients requiring specialized attention, I collaborate closely with a network of sub-specialist colleagues across various fields. We ensure coordination of care, from referrals to follow-up, enhancing your treatment experience and improving your outcome.
Each patient’s health journey is unique. We develop customized treatment plans that address your specific needs and goals. My approach not only aims to treat the symptoms but also to improve your quality of life and health in the long term. This also means that when one’s goals of care change, one can consider reducing medications to reduce your pill burden and prevent polypharmacy and the complications thereof. “I think it is important to have pre-emptive discussions with your physician and other care providers regarding your goals of care and Advanced Care Directives, should you not be able to communicate them in the future due to acute illness or incapacity.”
FAQ
A specialist physician is a doctor who has completed additional training in adult medicine after earning their medical degree. They focus on preventing, diagnosing, managing, and treating conditions that require more detailed and specialized knowledge than general practice.
A specialist physician is a good place to start for most undifferentiated problems in order to get diagnostic clarity or to have a comprehensive medical check up. A specialist physician helps to fine tune and optimize care of existing chronic medical conditions: eg gain better glucose, blood pressure or cholesterol control. Or to help coordinate the care of multiple chronic conditions if a patient is requiring multiple sub-speciality visits.
Specialist physicians treat a wide range of conditions. I, as a general specialist assist General Practitioners for diagnostic workups, manages patients with multiple comorbidities helping to prioritize conditions and coordinates care with other sub-specialists when required. I am attached to a hospital and have admitting rights to investigate and treat patients that can’t be treated as outpatients at home.
You do not need a referral unless your medical aid specifies that you need a referral in order to see a specialist. The referral would be made by your GP.
A subspecialist has additional expertise in a particular organ system. Eg Pulmonologist: lung, Nephrologist: kidney, Cardiologist: heart, Geriatrician: care of the elderly.
Any chronic medical condition eg. Heart disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive airway disease, chronic kidney disease.
Contact Us for Appointments and Enquiries
Whether you need to schedule a visit, follow up on ongoing treatment, or have questions about our medical services, our friendly staff is ready to help you. Here’s how you can reach us:
Phone: 021 002 8097
WhatsApp: 063 961 5390
Email: physician@juliagirdwood.co.za
Location: Room 201, The Link, Netcare Christiaan Barnard Hospital, Foreshore, Cape Town.
Or book online:
Office Hours
Saturday & Sunday: In case of emergency, please go to your nearest emergency department.