Medical School

Gatton Hospital

Address

97 - 103 William St, Gatton, QLD, 4343, AUSTRALIA

About the Placement

Placement Type: Hospital

Gatton Hospital is a rural hospital that has capacity for 25 available beds and bed alternatives. It offers medical services, emergency care, post natal care, outpatients services. It also provides services in community health and in allied health.

About Gatton

Located in the agriculturally rich Lockyer Valley (often referred to ‘Australia’s salad bowl’), Gatton is an important service centre for the vegetables grown in the area to be sent to the Brisbane markets. Known for its spectacular scenic backdrop of steep hills and the mountains of The Great Dividing Range, Gatton is a fast growing region that has maintained its natural beauty and charm.

Close-by attractions include;

  • Toowoomba Food and Wine Festival - September
  • Laidley Spring Festival – September
  • Lockyer Valley Turf Club race days
  • Lockyer Valley Country Music Week - February
  • Murphy's Creek Chilli Carnival - September
  • Awassi Cheesery & Ice Creamery
  • Lake Dyer
  • Lake Clarendon
  • Queensland Transport Museum
  • The Barn & Scotty’s Garage

Website

Getting there

Distance from Brisbane: 92 km (1h 10m drive time)

Transport Options: Train, Bus, Drive

Accommodation Type: UQ Gatton Campus housing, South Ridge Road

Transport required for placement: Required (accom is a 10 minute drive to placement)

Tips from Previous Students

  • Take on responsibility and start doing jobs before you’re asked. The doctors will let you do as much as you want to and are capable of. You will get more out of the rural placement if you try to be as useful and hard working as possible. I can’t understate how good it is to just take initiative
  • Use all the learning opportunities you are given or offered; there's not many other placements like this one to gain the confidence you want when you are an intern.
  • The staff are your best resources for learning, everyone were very welcoming and willing to teach.

Testimonials

This was one of the best experiences I have had on placements. Throughout this placement, as a 4th year student, I was given some more autonomy compared to other placements and was able to provide most care for patients. I was able to practice DOPs more often and learn new techniques. I was given one on one feedback on histories, exams, and management plans. I was also able to see the difficulties that come with rural settings for healthcare and how it impacts patient care.

All the doctors and nurses were extremely helpful, willing to take time out to teach and let us get involved in procedures, and give general career advice. Really good combination of ward and ED experience. Busy enough to learn but not so busy that Drs cannot teach. Really appreciated my time in Gatton, no complaints!

Wonderful placement to gain/develop skills and become intern ready. Good amount of teaching by all Drs. Was welcomed into the team and my contributions were acknowledge and appreciated.