Two of Bairnsdale Regional Health Service’s (BRHS) fundraising auxiliaries have made substantial donations to BRHS to buy medical equipment for the care of people across East Gippsland.
The BRHS Kiosk Auxiliary, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, made a series of donations including:
– $3654 to the Wound Clinic for a digital ankle and toe pressure kit to help clinic staff assess the health of blood vessels in patients will a range of vascular, diabetic or lymphatic conditions
– $10,710 to the BRHS Better@Home program for a Verathon bladder scanner, which allows nurses to perform bladder scans in patients’ homes
– $3950 for an Alaris infusion pump, used in surgery to infuse anaesthetic, and
– $4233 for a Urethrotome device to assist the Day Procedure Unit to treat men’s prostate issues.
The auxiliary has also purchased a new vending machine for the hospital’s Emergency Department for $6668 This gives uses the convenience of buying drinks and snacks using eftPos, notes and coins.
It’s hoped this better supports visitors and increases the money the auxiliary raises via the vending machine.
Home-based nursing nurse unit manager Carolyn Nelson and perioperative nurse unit manager Scott Joustra received the donations and thanked the kiosk auxiliary for its support.
Scott Joustra said the Alaris pump was a big boost for his team.
“Thanks to these dedicated fundraising efforts, BRHS’ Theatre has the newest equipment to deliver anaesthetic medication,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Bowerbirds Auxiliary has also been busy. It has raised $5,137 to buy a new vital signs monitor for the Flanagan ward and $18,500 to purchase a Topcon slit lamp for the Emergency Department.
Emergency department nurse unit manager Trish Young said the slit lamp would help ED staff treat a range of issues.
“ED staff are very grateful for the generous donation of this vital equipment.
The slit lamp microscope enables us to detect and remove foreign bodies, detect other eye abnormalities and or diseases of the eyes,” Trish said.
“This helps us to diagnose and treat emergency eye conditions faster and determine when a person may need to be transferred to specialist care.”
Bowerbirds representatives Marg Porter (president), Heather Rose, Janet Clues, Marilyn Coster and Elaine Newcomen presented cheques to Flanagan nurse unit manager Jen Thomson and clinical operations manager Jo Marshall.
BRHS chief executive officer Robyn Hayles said all of the hospital’s fundraising auxiliaries perform a vital role for the health service.
“Our fundraiser groups are so important. We couldn’t do it without them,” she said.
“There is a lot of equipment and maintenance that’s needed not just to run the health service but also to progress the healthcare we provide,” she said.
“The auxiliaries and community donations assist to ensure sure our staff have the most up-to-date equipment. This means better patient care for all people in East Gippsland. Thank you for your generous support.”
