Volunteers warm lives

9 May 2024

    

INNISFAIL cancer patients will be more comfortable thanks to the hard work of a dedicated group of local volunteers.
A $7186 blanket warmer bought for the Innisfail Hospital oncology unit is already making life a little warmer for chemotherapy patients, courtesy of the Innisfail Hospital Friends of the Foundation.
Hospital staff received the blanket warmer and videoconferencing equipment, valued at $25,000, with heartfelt appreciation.
Innisfail Hospital Director of Medical Services Dr Thomas Coombs said the equipment would be used by clinicians and patients around the region when making difficult decisions about patient retrieval or end of life care.
"The new system will enhance our disaster coordination capability. It will facilitate planning and sit rep meetings with a clearer line of communication between the hospital Incident Management Team, Local and District Disaster Management Groups, community emergency response teams, and the Health Emergency Operations Centre in Cairns,” he said.
Up to 17 patients a day use the Innisfail chemotherapy unit and while sitting having infusions, patients often get cold.
“Now that we have a blanket warmer in the unit, patients can enjoy a warm blanket (which has been described by patients as being like a big warm hug) at any time, ensuring their treatment time in the chair is as comfortable as possible,” Nurse Unit Manager Romy Clark said.
Innisfail Hospital Friends of the Foundation, a subsidiary of the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, are an active group of volunteers in the region.
President Estelle Kopp said they were very excited about the purchases. “The money for these purchases comes from all our activities at numerous events and we’re grateful to our community for supporting us,” Mrs Kopp said. “The videoconferencing equipment will be valuable not just clinically but also at times of natural disaster for community-related decisions,” she said.
    
Photo 1: Emma Phillips (RN), Julie Kruckow (Team Leader Oncology), Friends representative Maria Vasicek, Johanne Stitt, Kerry Mann, RN Simone Jiggens-Anderson, Romy Clark (Nurse Unit Manager)
Photo 2: Innisfail Friends president Estelle Kopp, Kerry Mann, Senior Medical Officer Dr James Boland, Romy Clark, Johanne Stitt and Maria Vasicek with the new VC equipment.

 

Read On

Life-changing care

Life-changing care

Imagine a day where no one in Far North Queensland has to travel far for life-changing surgery.Where cutting-edge technology is within reach of every family, friend and neighbour. That day is closer than ever, and it starts with you.Your...

A letter from Dr Wu

A letter from Dr Wu

We may not know each other personally, but I feel we're connected through a shared love for our Far North Queensland community. I'm Dr Roxanne Wu, Clinical Director of Surgery at Cairns Hospital.Every day, I see firsthand the incredible...

All patients benefit

All patients benefit

Babies being born through to elderly patients, will benefit from more than $21,000 worth of new equipment that will enhance care for patients using Innisfail Hospital, thanks to generous contributions from the Friends of the Foundation...