Knysna Provincial Hospital is a district level hospital situated in the beautiful town of Knysna in the Garden Route of South Africa. It is the only provincial hospital in the Knysna and Bitou (Plettenberg Bay) sub districts which together with its 13 primary health clinics serves a population of around 150 000 people.
Knysna Hospital (90 beds) have 2 full time family physicians, 2 family medicine registrars, 5 medical officers and 6 community service doctors employed full time. The hospital is divided in a Male, Female, Pediatrics and Maternity ward, as well as an Out-Patient department and Emergency Centre. We have 2 theatres which provide elective (General Surgery, Orthopedics, ENT, Urology, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Plastic surgery) as well as emergency surgeries that fall within our scope of practice. It is driven by the Family Medicine team, but also welcomes specialists from the private and government sector on weekly outreaches.
We are managing an ever-growing burden of chronic illnesses, including diseases of lifestyle such as Diabetes and Hypertension, but our biggest challenges still remain within the realm of infectious diseases, more specifically HIV and TB.
The Emergency Centre manages around 2500 patients per month. Many procedures are done, including ultrasonography, intercostal drains, suturing, closed reductions of fractures and dislocations, and of course all the ALS procedures, managing airways, breathing, and circulation. We regularly ventilate patients, including the use of non-invasive ventilation.
Regular activities include:
- Monday morning – Multidisciplinary team meeting, Mortality and morbidity discussion, Clinical forum
- Consultant-lead ward rounds at 7:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Wednesday morning CME
- Friday morning – antibiotic stewardship or Palliative care discussion
- Monthly dermatology and plastic surgery days
More on the Surroundings
Knysna is one of the most spectacular holiday destinations in South Africa with its beautiful lagoon, beaches and forest surroundings making it a popular choice to come and relax while gaining experience in clinical medicine.
Knysna offers a wonderful array of activities, including scenic forest hikes, boat trips on the lagoon or out to sea, as well as wine farms in the Plettenberg Bay area. There are many weekend markets throughout the year providing fresh produce and local gifts.
Knysna also boasts some of the most popular annual festivals including the Loerie and Oyster Festivals. For the adrenaline junkies Knysna and surrounds offer bungee jumping in the beautiful Tsitsikamma to climbing through the Cango Caves in the Klein Karoo.
For more information please visit www.visitknysna.co.za