Bettercare
Learning and Development in Cape Town

Many of the educational methods developed by PEP are now being adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO). EBW Healthcare publishes an innovative series of distance-learning books for healthcare professionals, developed by the Perinatal Education Trust, Eduhealthcare, the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation and the Desmond Tutu TB Centre, with contributions from numerous experts.Our aim is to provide appropriate, affordable and up-to-date learning material for healthcare workers in under-resourced areas, so that they can manage their own continuing education courses which will enable them to learn, practise and deliver skillful, efficient patient care.The EBW Healthcare series is built on the experience of the Perinatal Education Programme (PEP), which has provided learning opportunities to over 60 000 nurses and doctors in South Africa since 1992.

We design learning programmes for healthcare professionals so that they can learn, practice and deliver excellent patient care. Traditional training is too expensive and takes staff away from their patients. Health professionals care deeply about their own development, and can be inspired and empowered to learn. Peer-learning is the best learning: it is more motivating and effective to learn among trusted colleagues. Health professionals need material that is appropriate to the places they live and work, especially in low-resource settings. Learning programmes designed for peer learning also make ideal textbooks for formal training, because of their clear, step-by-step approach and simple language. Originally developed by the Perinatal Education Programme, and improved constantly for over 25 years, Bettercare material is widely used by government and private hospitals, non-profit organisations and training institutions in South Africa and other countries. Our learning programmes bring the latest developments in child, perinatal and HIV care to healthcare professionals working in challenging circumstances. We make high-quality, affordable and up-to-date training possible in every facility, regardless of its history, resources or geographical location. Bettercare works in close partnership with the Perinatal Education Trust (PET) and other partners. Get complete peace of mind: the most important, appropriate knowledge and skills, developed by leading experts. Scientific studies have proven the impact of Bettercare programmes on staff confidence, knowledge and patient care. Our content is developed in collaboration with leading organisations and experts. This work is coordinated by our team based in Cape Town. Dezre Little is our Business Manager, and oversees marketing, operations and finance. After many years in the tourism and event-management industry in South Africa and the UK, Dezre devotes her boundless energy to spreading high-quality healthcare education and training in her professional and personal capacities. Prof David Woods is our Chairperson and Editor-in-Chief. He was the head of Neonatal Medicine at the University of Cape Town, and is now Emeritus Associate Professor. He has presented papers at over a hundred local and international conferences, has had seventy articles published in peer-reviewed journals and is the author of nineteen chapters or books. He is currently the Chairman of the Perinatal Education Trust and Eduhealthcare, a Director of Power-free Education and Technology, and consulted to UNICEF and the WHO. He is a past-President of the International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health. He is highly involved in postgraduate training and serves on the faculty board at Stellenbosch University. Outside the university he is involved in ongoing research, serves on various committees and has won numerous awards including the Albert Strating prize for Preventative Medicine. He serves on the FIGO Committee for Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health, with dedicated goals to more effectively implement the PMTCT programme for the benefit of both mothers and children. Arthur Attwell leads product-development and technology. He has co-founded several acclaimed publishing initiatives, including Electric Book Works, Paperight and Book Dash. His latest venture, Fire and Lion, delivers high end book design with its own innovative publishing management platform.