Which way does the water go?

A really fun evening with Megan, Joff, Kayleigh and Liz. The dominant conversation was about
whether water really does flow in a different direction in the nothern and southern hemisphere - and what happens if you are on the equater?! Of course we couldn't resist trying to test this theory - but it was inconclusive LOL!

Lots and lots of patients

After a presentation to the doctors about conditions to refer to us (OT and physio), we have had a huge increase in referrals (particularly out-patients). This is JT's cartoon of Bernard referrring the whole of male ward to us.

Tar, glorious tar!

The 2 and a half year long road project is almost finished! The tar was started just over a week ago. This weekend they started tarring right outside the hospital.

A humerous moment: Give beer to the poor

The lighter side of life is often experienced through our many psych patients. (Don't get me wrong, i treat them with absolute respect). So, there is one man who came with a sprained ankle in January. After JT managed to help him fix his ankle (which required nothing really), he was so appreciative that he came back to say thank you and present her with a whole package of presents: a puppy, a bunch of plastic flowers, a bar of chocolate, a box of Romany Creams, some weed, a photo of himself, and a 20 page letter. He is slightly obsessed with her and comes to visit our department from time to time.

On Friday, he came to visit (but JT had gone) and offered to help Marlie who was sawing a chair in half. She gladly gave him the saw. Megan's comment: "Is jy seker jy wil a mal mens a saw gee?" He managed not to cut the table or his hand - but it needed some prompting.

So, while he is sawing he tells us (in English because nearly all psych patients speak English - go figure!) that he has made umqombothi (Xhosa beer). But he assures us that he is not going to drink it because he is not a drunkard. He says he made it to give to the poor people, because the Bible says we should give beer to the poor!

I happened to read that passage a few days ago, so i knew where to find it. Written by crazy King Lemuel, and taken out of context, but here it is:

Give beer to those who are perishing,
wine to those who are in anguish;
let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more
(Proverbs 31:6-7)

A walk on the wild side

It was a beautiful evening so Jess and Jack and I went for a walk. I had never actually been to the dam before so thats where we headed. It was bigger than I thought it was and kinda pretty. On the way back we tried to avoid the annoying dogs who really don't like Jack, so we took a different route straight up a steep hill. We ended up getting mobbed by dogs who were much worse than the other lot. If i didn't have a pile of stones in my hand, they would have probably sunk their teeth into us.

Also, we tried to take a crutch from an old lady who wasn't weight bearing on it (we have a desperate crutch shortage, so every crutch helps), but she gave us the most tragically miserable look that we just couldn't do it. Jess's interpretation of her facical expression: "I really need this stick to help me walk, but i know you are from the hospital so i have to do what you tell me. So i appeal to your conscience with this sad face, please let me keep my stick."

Below = Transkei geometry:)


This is where our water comes from

Cake, cake and more cake

With 3 birthdays in less than a week (Sarah, Kayleigh, Jo) we have had one party after another. But what a good excuse to celebrate :)

Below: Kayleigh, Jo, Emma


Emma in her "party dress" for Jo's teaparty. And she's looking at the camera for once!

Core values

Yesterday, as a clinic team, we re-evaluated and discussed our core values. It was an interesting (due to the amusing irony of internal politics) and mostly encouraging discussion. I am so grateful for our awesome multi-disciplinary team.

So, here are the Zithulele Hospital Clinical Team Core Values:

• Prioritising patient care (providing quality care with compassion and respect for patients)

• Multi-disciplinary team work (valuing interdependence as we share responsibility in patient care in a non-competitive environment)

• Resepctful communications (communicating respectfully in an open and honest, but constructive way with our colleages)

• Building people up (recognising, acknowledging and encouraging people's strengths)

• Continual learning (seeking to learn from each other and the community, and stay up to date with relevant health research and developments)

• A hopeful attitude (looking for the positive in challenging situations and encouraging each other to avoid cynical talk)