Gunnedah District Hospital's maternity ward is now up-to-date with the latest equipment thanks to a generous donation.
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The Humpty Dumpty Foundation, Hitachi Construction Machinery, and Rice Construction Group donated three new pieces of equipment worth over $10,000 to the ward on Thursday, to celebrate the opening of the new Gunnedah Hitachi branch.
The maternity ward now has a Radical-7 Pulse Oximeter with Sensor, an Astodia Diaphanoscope, and an AIRVO 2 Humidifier.
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The Radical-7 Pulse Oximeter measures the amount of oxygen in their capillaries by shining a light through the baby's finger or toe. This ensures correct and safe oxygen delivery during highly critical times in an effort to prevent damage to organs such as the brain, eyes and lungs.
The Astodia Diaphanoscope uses red and yellow light to diagnose and find veins in patients of all sizes. It illuminates small blood vessels and structures filled with air or liquid, deep under the skin's surface, not easily visible in pre-term babies. This allows medical staff to quickly and accurately administer vital medicines without multiple attempts.
Humidified air and oxygen from the AIRVO 2 Humidifier helps babies and children suffering from respiratory problems breathe restfully and clears the chest for ongoing treatment and recovery.
The hospital's maternity nurse unit manager Therese Mills said having the new equipment was "awesome".
"We had [an Astodia Diaphanoscope] similar to this but it didn't have the docking station ... and [the new one] is way more user friendly," Ms Mills said.
"We've never had the other two ... it's a god send."
Hitachi's manager of business development James Craig said Hitachi and Rice Construction Group wanted to "give back to the community" after the Kamilaroi Highway branch was finished being built.
"It's always good to support any hospital especially when you've got employees that come back and say that their families have actually benefited from it ... which is a fantastic way to see the money is well spent," Mr Craig said.
Humpty Dumpty Foundation founder Paul Francis OAM said Hitachi's support of the foundation and the local community was "immeasurable".
"Their support of families in the Gunnedah area means children have access to the latest life-saving medical equipment," Mr Francis said.
"I applaud this contribution to Gunnedah District Hospital as it demonstrates Hitachi's commitment to the wider community."
Jessica Worboys
Education and youth reporter at the Northern Daily Leader. Get in touch via jessica.worboys@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Education and youth reporter at the Northern Daily Leader. Get in touch via jessica.worboys@austcommunitymedia.com.au
