BEDFORD ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL

Dr. McConnachie has performed orthopedic surgeries and treated many conditions, such as tuberculosis of the spine, polio, congenital defects and various other conditions virtually unknown today in North America or Europe. Chris is the only board-certified orthopedist in the Transkei, sometimes performs as many as 15 surgeries in a day. He visits outlying hospitals and treats upwards of 150 outpatients in a week.

Besides his medical duties, he is the administrator of AMM in Transkei, the former black homeland where Mthatha is located. In this role he oversees the training of local physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and physical therapists in an effort to develop an indigenous medical system capable of sustaining improvements in the coming years. Worldwide recruitment of volunteer medical professionals has made this training program possible. Orthopedic and general surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists and physical therapists have committed a month or more working to improve the area’s devastated health system. Apartheid is gone now, but its lingering effects will be felt for many years to come.

Bedford Hospital Rehabilitation Services:

Physical and Occupational Therapists will experience a wide variety of diagnosis, including club feet interventions, spinal cord injuries from MVA's, GSW's, TB, Lower Motor Neuron injuries, fractures, CHI, CP, Spin bifida, etc. Therapists directly treat patients starting at 8:00, with one hour for lunch, concluding therapy at 4:30. Treatment may be done on the wards, in the clinic, or in the therapy department. Therapists work closely with the Physicians, but are able to work quite independently. The therapy department is small, with adequate mat space, tilt table, standing table, and even a therapy pool for both adult and pediatric patients. Therapists are expected to be innovative, flexible, patient, and knowledgeable. In addition to direct treating of patients, therapists are expected to teach at least one module of an aspect of care to staff, including therapy aides, nurses, and/or other therapists or assistants. In addition to the above, Occupational Therapists may be working directly with patients for occupational options, and may have an opportunity to teach techniques of crafts, in the "Craft Workshop".