Rural Allowance: Yes
Doctors Quarters:
- Did not live there. ++broken windows. Was a block of flats in Empangeni about 15 minutes from the hospital.
- Private apartments in Empangeni. 2 bedrooms, kitchen shared with another intern.
- Currently (2022) there are 3 different blocks of flats that are used for DQ. All of them are in Empangeni, 10 mins away from the hospital. Interns are randomly allocated, depending on whichever place has space. All of them are livable, but some more so than others.
Academics:
- Was variable. Really did depend on the department but for the most part the teaching was high quality. Often delivered by the interns but with supervision and loads of input from the senior staff.
- Some departments better than others.
- Department specific. Ranges from excellent (surgery) to minimal (internal medicine).
- Department specific. Ngwelezana and QNRH is linked to UKZN, so there are is a lot of frameworks for academics, but of course, some departments take teaching more seriously than others.
Supervision:
- Also department dependant, but most of the time you were alone at initial assessments with seniors not too far away. They were always happy to review. Consultants readily came in if called.
- Again, some departments better than other.
- Seniors always telephonically available but a lot of responsibility rests with you. Generally enough oversight if you’re prepared to ask for help.
- Once again, department specific. However, all departments have multiple com servs, MOs, and consultants, so you are never alone.
Clinical Exposure:
- Baptism by fire. If you want hands-on-procedural-nitty-gritty exposure, then this is the place! All the departments are relatively busy and understaffed and do a lot of “tertiary” things outside of a tertiary setting.
- Unparalleled. You will probably see and manage more weird and wonderful things in your time at Ngwelezana than anywhere else in the country.
- Extremely busy. There aren’t any secondary-level hospitals nearby, so Ngwelezana and QNRH absorb a lot of primary health care and walk-in cases, on top of the specialised services. Most departments are stretched extremely thin, and many days end well after 4pm.
Social Scene:
- Small group of interns and Comm serves, so everyone is besties at the end. It is quite remote. Nightclubs aren’t really a thing up that side. Neither are “fancy” restaurants. But you’re only an hours drive from Ballito/Durban. The real beauty of the area is the wild outdoorsy aspects! Lots of beach/river socials and the occasional game drive.
- Tight-knit medical community within the hospital and the towns surrounding it.
- Empangeni is a small town, not much to do socially. Close by is Richards Bay, and Mtunzini – both also small towns. Ballito and Durban are about 2 hours away. There is a strong sense of community and friendship amongst the junior doctors.
Additional Comments:
- The surgical dept was in shambles when I was an intern and we were basically worked to the bone on a ridiculous rota. This has changed and I’ve heard it’s quite pleasant now!
- Ngwelezana was fantastic, but some departments could really improve.
- Excellent opportunity to gain confidence and experience a less urban setting. Highly recommend.
- Highly recommend, but be prepared to work very hard.
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