Division of Neurology
Introduction
The Division is part of the Department of Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg Campus, noting that Neurology is a separate discipline, and not a sub-speciality of Internal Medicine. Our clinical services are based at the Neurology Unit of Tygerberg Hospital.
The Division has three full time consultants, and an additional sessional consultant. Consultants divide their time between ward, referral and neurophysiology duties.
Teaching and Learning
Our postgraduate offering
We have two neurology registrar positions. There is no requirement to have completed training in internal medicine prior to commencing neurology training, but all candidates are expected to have written and passed the Part 1 examination of the Fellowship of the College of Neurology. We have no medical officer positions.
In addition, we have several neurology registrar training posts, and aim to have 8 Neurology registrars in training at any one time.
Training includes an initial rotation in neuroanatomy and neuroradiology, rotations in Neurophysiology (separate blocks for neuromuscular neurophysiology and EEG), and a rotation in the emergency room, the latter being supervised by the consultant who is on rotation for referrals.
The division has internationally recognised expertise in neuromuscular diseases and movement disorders. In additional regular tutorials are carried out in the areas of neuro-ophthalmology and neuropsychology/ cognitive disorders.
Research
Major research interests of the Division include inherited neuromuscular disorders, motor neuron disease, aetiology of neurodegenerative disease, physiology and imaging of motor function, autoimmune neurology and neurogenetics.
Clinical Services
The division has 13 neurology beds, including two epilepsy monitoring beds, and as six-bed stroke unit. Outpatient clinics take place on all days of the week except for Fridays, and consist of general neurology, epilepsy, acute and alternating neuromuscular/movement disorder clinics. A botulinum toxin clinic, using EMG and ultrasound, takes place monthly. Outreach clinics to Worcester and Helderberg hospitals take place bimonthly.
