The END

And that was my Overseas Healthcare elective in a nutshell.

It was an amazing experience and gave me an insight into developing countries healthcare systems, and made me think and appreciate how lucky we are in the UK to have all the equipment and different members of the healthcare professions to work together for the best outcome for the patient.

This was also an eye opener for a career into global health which I would like to go into in the long term, and this has really motivated me to be the best that I can with all the nursing drugs and terminology, patient care and my "Prevention rather than Cure" approach, so I progress quickly in my career.

I hope this has provided an insight into a healthcare situation you weren't aware of and I hope any information I've provided is of use to you in your future.

All the best,

Tom

Guardia/Urgencia (A&E) 16th June - 4th July

A&E was a small unit consisting of 4 rooms with 2 beds each and 2 consultant rooms with benches where doctors would see patients who queued up outside A&E with less serious ailments. Those with more serious conditions were stabilised in the severely under resourced resuscitation room then sent to the Intensive Care Unit or another relevant ward. The resuscitation room consisted of an old fashioned Electrocardiogram (ECG) machine that used gel and small suction cups to attach the leads to the body, but this one only had 1 suction cup and lead working so they would move the suction cup around the chest and print each angle separately which I am certain would not give an accurate reading. There was only one oxygen connection in the resus room so anyone who needed any kind of oxygen therapy had to sit in the resus room for treatment with the possibility of someone coming in with a serious condition. Another alarming fact is that the nursing staff did 24 hour shifts while in A&E in groups of 3 nurses with 2 beds available for sleeping when it gets quiet. I didn’t do any myself but I know from experience of 13 hour shifts in the UK that my body and mind get tired so I can’t imagine how they feel with a 24 hour shift, especially considering the safety of the patients and the mental competence of the nursing staff.

28th June - Alta Montaña

Another early start for this trip with the minibus picking us up at 7am, but it was worth it.

The morning air was fresh and crisp and it took a couple of hours to reach our first stop which was up the side of the Andes using a ski lift. The views were spectacular and the sun was shining against the brilliant white snow.

After that we stopped down the road for lunch where we had a set menu of different meats, carbohydrates and vegetables and salad, which was really good for the price, accompanied with some Mendoza wine of course!

We then worked off our lunch using some sleds to slide down the snowy hills near the restaurant which was thrilling.

Our last stop was the Inca bridge over the river with a church in the background and a newer structure built into the rock face.

Overall this was another one of my favourite trips and well worth a visit into the heart of the Andes.

22nd June - white water rafting

It was an early morning start for the rafting with the minibus picking us up at 7am. It took around 2 hours to get to the lake buy the views of the Andes were amazing as we travelled by. At this time of year the river was only grade 2-3 for rapids so it wouldn't be too treacherous but it still was enough to make it a great experience.
We suited up not long after we'd arrived, in wetsuits, fleeces, life jackets and helmets & we were given a safety talk. We then headed another 30 mins upstream to begin the rafting. The views were spectacular and the water was super fresh when it splashed up from the rapids of the river. We practiced techniques to stay in the boat when hitting big dips or rocks & near the end we all jumped in to experience the fresh water. The river is supplied by the ice melting from the Andes and its the main source of water for the people of Mendoza.
Once we'd arrived at the end of the rapids in the calm water we took the boats out and headed back to lake side.
After we'd washed and changed using the facilities, the local restaurant served some traditional Argentine food of asado (bbq) beef & empanadas and veg with wine or beer for a really reasonable price of £8. The photos shown below were takeb by the rafting team who had a dedicated person taking photos to give the option to buy later. They provided them on a cd for the small price of £7 & we bought one between the group and shared them using social media.
It was one of the best experiences of my trip & I would recommend this as one of my top 3.

18th June - olive oil and wine tasting

Mendoza is famous for its wine and olive groves so one afternoon a few of us went olive oil and wine tasting in a local restaurant where the waitress explained the process of olive oil production & the differences between the olives grown and strength in taste. They had home made bread accompanying the peppers in oil, the olive oil mayonnaise and green & black olive paste. The wines were typical red and white wine of mendoza, a malbec and sauvignon blanc.
For specific wine tasting tours there are many to choose from which I didn't take the opportunity to do.
The olive oil gift sets are a nice idea for gifts to take home too.

15th June - Villavicencio

The water locally bottled here is named after the place Villavicencio.

For the trip the group was picked up at 7.30am and our first stop was Rutas Sanmartinians, the historic camp site of San Martins army who crossed the Andes to free the Chilean people from the Spanish in 1817. This has replica houses and barracks around the training camp but still displays the original cannons used in the war, at the entrance of the camp.

We moved onto the Reserva Natural Villavicencio which had cactus farms and rare rock and fossil formations on display as well as information about the local wildlife.

Before visiting the last stop on the tour we headed up an old winding road up the Andes mountains which was originally used as a passage to Chile and where the army of San Martin crossed into Chile. The views were spectacular even though it was slightly treacherous getting them.

Our last stop was the old Villavicencio hotel opened in 1940 and closed in 1978 after the 1978 world cup. The hotel is in the middle of no where, a bit like the Grand Budapest Hotel movie and unfortunately we were unable to look inside, only look from the outside.

A quick glance in the church next door to the hotel and then headed back to Mendoza.

Overall the views were great but after reading reviews before I went, I was disappointed to find that lunch was not an option, not even a shop to buy water or a coffee so I recommend to bring food and drink if you do this excursion.

Clinica Medica 26th May - 13th June

During my first 3 weeks I've been in the Clinica Medica or general medicine ward. The hospital is very under resourced, and has to make do with what is available but the knowledge of the nursing and medical staff is commendable. The nursing team that I worked with were very supportive, being patient while I tried to communicate in Spanish & always having time to answer questions I had. The medication preparation and administration is some what different & electrical equipment is very outdated compared to UK standards. The team & I really bonded and at the end of the 3 weeks it was sad to leave them. I bought them chocolates and a framed picture of the the group and I to say thank you. They bought in pizzas & we ate them in the staff room after my last shift. I told them I will visit them again before I left Mendoza for good.

8th June - Cerro de la Gloria

A group of us went for a Sunday hike from our house up to Cerro de la Gloria around 6km (3.7miles) away. The 14 tonne bronze monument pays tribute to the army of the Andes and for its successful campaign of liberation from the Spanish. "The Hill of Glory" or Cerro de la Gloria is definatley worth a look not only for the history but for the magnificent views too. It took roughly 1hr 30 mins to get to the top and another to get back with 30 mins taking in the scenery so overall a good 3.5 hrs of fresh air, exercise and sunshine.

3rd June Horseback riding

In a small group of 8 we went horseback riding in the afternoon through the desert landscape along the foot of the Andes until the sun set behind the Andes mountains. We left the house around 3.30pm and arrived at the ranch at 4.10pm. Once we´d mounted our horses we set off around 4.30pm and rode until 8-8.30pm enjoying the majestic scenes of the sunset while sharing Mate (pronounced Mat-A an Argentinian herbal drink). On return to the ranch the fire was burning and the Asado (BBQ) was cooking with a table set with local red wine ready to be consumed. The Asado consisted of well seasoned, juicy beef that was cooked to perfection along with potatoes & salad. We finished off the night with music on guitar from out guide and host Diego.

Overall a great evening and night worth 450pesos (£30) & a must do when visiting Mendoza.

31st May Cacheuta

We went to Cacheuta hot water springs on Saturday. We left from the omnibus terminal in Mendoza city centre and it took 40 minutes to get there. The hot water springs were in the middle of nowhere from the south of Mendoza towards the Andes. The weather was dry and bright but still slightly mild. The water was refreshing and for half a day trip it was worth the 30 pesos (£2.50) return bus journey & 80 pesos (£6) entry.