Rural Allowance: Yes
Duration of Rotation:
Relatively flexible. Depends on the interests of the group and staffing needs. Areas include: Maternity, Paeds, OPD, Casualty.
Doctors Quarters:
Most people opt to stay on one of two farms around 20 mins from hospital.
Academics:
Friday morning presentations are done by each department. Otherwise very little. Up to you to learn on the job.
Accredited for DCH as there is a paediatric district consultant.
Supervision:
Minimal. Be prepared to man the casualty on day 1. The nursing staff are very experienced and make all the difference.
Clinical Exposure:
Not overly busy. Great exposure to interesting pathology. Referrals are to Rob Ferreira Hospital and can be quite challenging.
Mostly Well resourced hospital - Gas machine in Casualty :). Obviously occasional stock shortages occur.
Calls are done in casualty mostly. May have a 3rd on call in the month which is purely for Anaesthetics. Be comfortable with spinals and GA’s. Currently comm serves do not have to do maternity calls unless interested.
Departments worked in:
Paediatrics - Comm serve run currently. Cover 2 wards, Nursery and POPD.
Social Scene:
Living on the farms provides a very pleasant environment to socialise as you wish. Usually a combination of vets, Tonga Comm Serves and allied HCW’s. Malalane town is around 20 mins from the farms. Massive Spar, Nandos, Spur, etc !!
Additional Comments:
Overall the work demand is not unbearable and depends where you end up. Work-life balance is mostly really good. For people who love the outdoors, it could not be a better place to be. Kruger is 20 mins from the farms and there is plenty space to exercise/explore/adventure.
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