I've just been in to Ruamphaet Hospital in Surin and am pleased to find they've got the first cardiologist available in Surin. She's newly qualified, could understand very little English but I think said she could listen to the heart of a child in our family who has a possible murmur. They can do ECGs but not much else... Korat seems to be the nearest for further diagnostics. Has anyone discovered any ther closet cardiologist nearby?

As ambulance driver and family medical insurer of last resort, I have been in to Ruamphaet several times. I don't mind the broken floors and grubby appearance, nor the fact the doctors cannot cope in English, but does anyone have any experiences or thoughts about using this hospital. As I'm now over thirty, one has to keep an eye on these things!

One time I went in with what I was sure was impetigo, a horrible skin infection. The lady doctor who always sees you first makes you write things down on a piece of paper and then tells you that she's sixty two. The specialist she sent me up to see turned out to be a cosmetic surgeon and not a dermatologist. In a fascinating reflection on local priorities, they don't have a dermatologist, so I got on the bus to Bangkok and the Bumrungrad.

It does bother me a bit that local health facilities are limited as it could be something more important than impetigo. If you're really sick, how do you make it to salvation in Bangkok? Air ambulance from Surin? Perish the thought.

I've just been in to Ruamphaet Hospital in Surin and am pleased to find they've got the first cardiologist available in Surin. She's newly qualified, could understand very little English but I think said she could listen to the heart of a child in our family who has a possible murmur. They can do ECGs but not much else... Korat seems to be the nearest for further diagnostics. Has anyone discovered any ther closet cardiologist nearby?

As ambulance driver and family medical insurer of last resort, I have been in to Ruamphaet several times. I don't mind the broken floors and grubby appearance, nor the fact the doctors cannot cope in English, but does anyone have any experiences or thoughts about using this hospital. As I'm now over thirty, one has to keep an eye on these things!

One time I went in with what I was sure was impetigo, a horrible skin infection. The lady doctor who always sees you first makes you write things down on a piece of paper and then tells you that she's sixty two. The specialist she sent me up to see turned out to be a cosmetic surgeon and not a dermatologist. In a fascinating reflection on local priorities, they don't have a dermatologist, so I got on the bus to Bangkok and the Bumrungrad.

It does bother me a bit that local health facilities are limited as it could be something more important than impetigo. If you're really sick, how do you make it to salvation in Bangkok? Air ambulance from Surin? Perish the thought.

I live in Buriram ,at 68, have used the General Hospital several times,as well as a private one.Both are very satisfactory to me. EKG taken here at General, Kidney stones at private and General.Very clean and no broken floors.

I've just been in to Ruamphaet Hospital in Surin and am pleased to find they've got the first cardiologist available in Surin. She's newly qualified, could understand very little English but I think said she could listen to the heart of a child in our family who has a possible murmur. They can do ECGs but not much else... Korat seems to be the nearest for further diagnostics. Has anyone discovered any ther closet cardiologist nearby?

As ambulance driver and family medical insurer of last resort, I have been in to Ruamphaet several times. I don't mind the broken floors and grubby appearance, nor the fact the doctors cannot cope in English, but does anyone have any experiences or thoughts about using this hospital. As I'm now over thirty, one has to keep an eye on these things!

One time I went in with what I was sure was impetigo, a horrible skin infection. The lady doctor who always sees you first makes you write things down on a piece of paper and then tells you that she's sixty two. The specialist she sent me up to see turned out to be a cosmetic surgeon and not a dermatologist. In a fascinating reflection on local priorities, they don't have a dermatologist, so I got on the bus to Bangkok and the Bumrungrad.

It does bother me a bit that local health facilities are limited as it could be something more important than impetigo. If you're really sick, how do you make it to salvation in Bangkok? Air ambulance from Surin? Perish the thought.

Hi Andrew

Maybe Iv gone into that hospital with my eyes closed a bit? I have had a few minor Ops there and always found the place neat and tidy. They have cleaners lurking around 24/7 and I have had better service there compared to the unhealthy places 'back home.' Except for one old lady doctor who was more interested in her husbands campagn to become The Mayor of Surin, than medical issues, I have found all the staff to be first class.

Dave

I've just been in to Ruamphaet Hospital in Surin and am pleased to find they've got the first cardiologist available in Surin. She's newly qualified, could understand very little English but I think said she could listen to the heart of a child in our family who has a possible murmur. They can do ECGs but not much else... Korat seems to be the nearest for further diagnostics. Has anyone discovered any ther closet cardiologist nearby?

As ambulance driver and family medical insurer of last resort, I have been in to Ruamphaet several times. I don't mind the broken floors and grubby appearance, nor the fact the doctors cannot cope in English, but does anyone have any experiences or thoughts about using this hospital. As I'm now over thirty, one has to keep an eye on these things!

One time I went in with what I was sure was impetigo, a horrible skin infection. The lady doctor who always sees you first makes you write things down on a piece of paper and then tells you that she's sixty two. The specialist she sent me up to see turned out to be a cosmetic surgeon and not a dermatologist. In a fascinating reflection on local priorities, they don't have a dermatologist, so I got on the bus to Bangkok and the Bumrungrad.

It does bother me a bit that local health facilities are limited as it could be something more important than impetigo. If you're really sick, how do you make it to salvation in Bangkok? Air ambulance from Surin? Perish the thought.

Hi Andrew

Maybe Iv gone into that hospital with my eyes closed a bit? I have had a few minor Ops there and always found the place neat and tidy. They have cleaners lurking around 24/7 and I have had better service there compared to the unhealthy places 'back home.' Except for one old lady doctor who was more interested in her husbands campagn to become The Mayor of Surin, than medical issues, I have found all the staff to be first class.

Dave

Don't forget to tell them about the meals

I've just been in to Ruamphaet Hospital in Surin and am pleased to find they've got the first cardiologist available in Surin. She's newly qualified, could understand very little English but I think said she could listen to the heart of a child in our family who has a possible murmur. They can do ECGs but not much else... Korat seems to be the nearest for further diagnostics. Has anyone discovered any ther closet cardiologist nearby?

As ambulance driver and family medical insurer of last resort, I have been in to Ruamphaet several times. I don't mind the broken floors and grubby appearance, nor the fact the doctors cannot cope in English, but does anyone have any experiences or thoughts about using this hospital. As I'm now over thirty, one has to keep an eye on these things!

One time I went in with what I was sure was impetigo, a horrible skin infection. The lady doctor who always sees you first makes you write things down on a piece of paper and then tells you that she's sixty two. The specialist she sent me up to see turned out to be a cosmetic surgeon and not a dermatologist. In a fascinating reflection on local priorities, they don't have a dermatologist, so I got on the bus to Bangkok and the Bumrungrad.

It does bother me a bit that local health facilities are limited as it could be something more important than impetigo. If you're really sick, how do you make it to salvation in Bangkok? Air ambulance from Surin? Perish the thought.

Never thought you were that old Andrew

I've just been in to Ruamphaet Hospital in Surin and am pleased to find they've got the first cardiologist available in Surin. She's newly qualified, could understand very little English but I think said she could listen to the heart of a child in our family who has a possible murmur. They can do ECGs but not much else... Korat seems to be the nearest for further diagnostics. Has anyone discovered any ther closet cardiologist nearby?

As ambulance driver and family medical insurer of last resort, I have been in to Ruamphaet several times. I don't mind the broken floors and grubby appearance, nor the fact the doctors cannot cope in English, but does anyone have any experiences or thoughts about using this hospital. As I'm now over thirty, one has to keep an eye on these things!

One time I went in with what I was sure was impetigo, a horrible skin infection. The lady doctor who always sees you first makes you write things down on a piece of paper and then tells you that she's sixty two. The specialist she sent me up to see turned out to be a cosmetic surgeon and not a dermatologist. In a fascinating reflection on local priorities, they don't have a dermatologist, so I got on the bus to Bangkok and the Bumrungrad.

It does bother me a bit that local health facilities are limited as it could be something more important than impetigo. If you're really sick, how do you make it to salvation in Bangkok? Air ambulance from Surin? Perish the thought.

Hi Andrew

Maybe Iv gone into that hospital with my eyes closed a bit? I have had a few minor Ops there and always found the place neat and tidy. They have cleaners lurking around 24/7 and I have had better service there compared to the unhealthy places 'back home.' Except for one old lady doctor who was more interested in her husbands campagn to become The Mayor of Surin, than medical issues, I have found all the staff to be first class.

Dave

That was the elderly female doctor I was referring to who fields all the farang enquiries because she speaks a bit of English. Yes, after our first visit we started getting flyers in the mail promoting her husband's campaign addressed to each of us. Clearly she had passed confidential patients' records to him. Anywhere else in the world you'd immediately get sacked for that. Perhaps it's their hospital so they can get away with it.

That and the fact that Sangkha's little cottage hospital is like a new pin in contrast has put me off the place a bit.

When we took the child in with the possible heart complaint, the doctor was totally brutal with her and scared her silly. Her auntie had just died of a heart complaint and though I asked her to reassure the child, she just didn't bother.

It could be worth going a bit further to Buriram.

But the question still remains, what to do when the only proper facilities are in Bangkok and you're too ill to travel.

Okay, Bergen, I'm forty five then.

This is not a promotion for Surin's Ruamphet private hospital. However, I would like to counter some of the negative comments that have been made earlier in this thread.

My daugher was born in the hospital just over 3 years ago and the obstetrician attending my wife was first class in every respect. He looked after her all the way through her pregnancy and, indeed, at the successful delivery of our daughter by C-section. In addition, we have used the hospital on many occasions and both my wife and my daughter have stayed in the hospital too. Each time the attending doctors have been first class and they have been well supported by the nursing staff. The 62-year old doctor, the Director, is fun and caring and has treated me on more than a couple of occasions too. Each time her diagnosis has been spot on and the subsequent treatment has cleared up my complaint.

Yes, the hospital was looking a bit run down a couple of years ago but I would like to say that it is currently being reworked, redecorated and vamped-up. In the past year they have opened a new wing with a good Thai restaurant on the ground floor and some new treatment rooms above. They have also installed an escalator to the second floor of the main wing and a new OPD area. They are currently replacing the old ceilings on the ground floor and generally tarting the place up a bit. Finally, they have just open a small conveinience store on the 2nd floor. Ok, it may not be in the same league as the big hospitals in Bangkok but it has satisfied mine and my family's needs for the past 4 years. I sincerely hope that the hospital will continue to do so.

Finally, if you do need to stay in the hospital there is a good 'farang' menu that offers 'meals on wheels' from the Farang Connection. Thank you Martin!