DONATIONS to The Hospital Research Foundation have helped regional patients receive treatment closer to home.
The Gawler Health Service was recently given a valuable piece of equipment – a high-flow oxygen ventilator – as part of an $18,000 donation by The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF), to hospitals within the Barossa Hills Fleurieu health network.
Operating Theatre manager at Gawler Hospital, Tina Sayce, said the ventilator has been on staff’s wish list for some five years and will now be put to use almost daily.
“It’s a really good way of providing high oxygen to patients who need that little bit extra breathing support during surgery,” she said.
“Before, anyone we were a little bit worried about from a breathing perspective we would send to the Lyell McEwin, but this means we are able to keep people who are a bit more unwell here, to provide that service for them.”
The donation of equipment is part of a $300,000 state-wide commitment to South Australia’s country health network by the Hospital Research Foundation.
At the request of the Barossa Hills Fleurieu health network, other equipment funded by THRF includes an endoscope flushing aid for gastroenterology patients at Angaston Hospital and an inflatable patient transfer system for Eudunda Hospital.
Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network acting chief executive Kylie Williams said she welcomed the funding.
“We are extremely grateful to receive this generous contribution from The Hospital Research Foundation and would like to thank them for their ongoing support,” she said.
“This equipment will allow us to continue providing high quality care to our local community for both now and into the future.”
THRF chief executive Paul Flynn said the charity was proud to extend its support to all South Australian communities and public hospitals.
“With about 25 per cent of South Australians living outside of Adelaide, it is incumbent of us to do all we can to help improve care and treatments for these regional communities,” he said.
“This equipment meets an immediate need within the Barossa and Gawler region and helps patients access the latest healthcare at their local hospital.
“It also arms our frontline healthcare workers with the latest technology to make their jobs easier.
“We are proud to be able to support the great work of country health centres through this grant, made possible thanks to our generous donors and ticket buyers in the Hospital Research Home Lottery.”