Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care
Teaching sites - Caledon District Hospital
Caledon forms the hub of the Theewaterskloof sub district (TWK.) TWK together with Overstrand, Agulhas and Swellendam form the Overberg health district one of the 5 rural districts in the Western Cape. It has a population of about 110 000 patients with an approximate 88 percent uninsured.
Caledon hospital is the referral system for 8 eight clinics in the following towns: The 270 year old Genadendal, picturesque Greyton, Bereaville, Voorstekraal, Botrivier, Caledon, Tesselaarsdal, Villiersdorp, Riviersonderend and Greyton. These clinics are visited at least once per week. The town of Grabouw and the Grabouw Community Health Care Centre forms part of TWK, but drainage occurs mainly to Helderberg hospital. This clinic has three full l time medical officers and sessional doctors.
Caledon hospital has a superintendent, a family physician, 2 MO'’s, 3 community service doctors and a family medicine registrar post. The successful family medicine registrar will be exposed to the entire spectrum of medicine in a typical rural district where the patient occupies the centre position. At Caledon we strive towards community oriented primary care with doctors actively involved in community health. You will be given the opportunity to experience all aspects of family medicine whilst engaging with your studies. Team work is of the essence and you will have enough scope to develop your interest. Basic surgery is complemented by a visiting retired surgeon on a Wednesday when an anesthetist is present as well.
Leisure in Caledon is exploration of the beautiful natural environment with mountain biking, fishing and, hiking. It takes 30 minutes to drive to Hermanus and 45 minutes to Somerset West.
For more information contact Dr Anthony Hess, Family Physician at anthess@yahoo.com.
