Dr Harry Surtie Hospital

How was the accommodation?
No comment.

How was the level of supervision and teaching?
Poor - especially in some departments such as Internal Medicine. I love IM, but that department is the pits. There are Stellenbosch University Students that so small rotations in departments such as Obs&Gynae and Paeds which both have consultants and those departments have good support. Surgery also has 2x consultants but their management of patients are questionable in many instances. Management also doesn't care about comserves and didn't have any regard for our complaints or concerns.

How was the clinical exposure?
Good. See multitude of conditions (at many times very advanced) and need to stabilise/manage with very little support.

Was any of the following available?
Yes - X-Rays, Blood Gas Machines, NHLS, There is a CT machine, Mammogram and Ultrasound machines available, but due to no staff being properly trained it is not in use and you have to fight and beg to send patients for scans at Kimberley.

Academics available?
No comment.

Did you have a social life? What kept you busy/entertained?
Yes. But if you are not Afrikaans you will struggle unfortunately. There are 2x wine farms, but doesn't get close to Western Cape taste.

Any general comment/advice?
Great nursing staff. Majority poor chronic MO's stuck in their bad ways. Great community (mostly Afrikaans speaking). Poorly stocked Woolies. Very far from everything and flights are ridiculously expensive. Hospital drains most of Northern Cape with long distances to travel and BLS trained EMS some patients come to you near brink of death. Kimberley not very helpful or accepting of most patients. But in scheme of things could have been much worse. Bonded with other comserves through the tough year.

Overall Satisfaction with placement?
3/10