One of the areas HospiceSouthland is very strong in is medical student and House Surgeon training. 

We have four 2nd year house surgeons a year with us, each spending 3 months.

They are full members of our medical team, doing ward rounds, attending the MDT meetings (Multi-Disciplinary meetings), and going out to the community with our community nurses.

2nd year house surgeon Dr Britanny Puata at Hospice Southland. Photo: Supplied

Many come not knowing what to expect from a palliative care run but all go away with a far greater knowledge of palliative care which they can use in whatever specialty they eventually choose.

Their 3 months at Hospice Southland will hold them in very good stead. 

Katie Weatherstone our medical director also has trainee interns – 6th year medical students here for a month at a time as well as 4th year medical students for a week at a time.

She gives them lectures on a variety of topics which is part of her role as Honorary Senior Medical Lecturer at Otago University. 

We also have Pharmacy students here on a training run, trainee nurses from SIT and work experience for a Carers Course student.