FAR North Queenslanders have been called on to Donate for DaNi – a DaVinci surgical robot to help improve patient outcomes.
The Donate for DaNi campaign, instigated by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, aims to bring the $4.3 million surgical robot to the region.
CEO Gina Hogan said Cairns would be the first public hospital outside south-east Queensland to host the robot, which would be used in some urological, gynaecological and rectal procedures.
“Currently, some of these patients travel outside the region for this care, but we ultimately want as many people as possible to have as much health care as close to home,” Mrs Hogan said.
“While this is an ambitious target, we already have $869,128.91 in the bank for this cause, which was fundraised by Rod and Sue Sherrington over four years at their Trinity Advisory Christmas lunches,” she said.
Mr Sherrington was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 46 after being told it was highly unlikely, he did have it.
“I was lucky that my specialist, Dr Stefan Antoniou said it warranted further investigation. My dream is that no one, regardless of their financial situation, should have to travel outside Cairns for the treatment I had,” Mr Sherrington said.
Cairns Hospital CE Leena Singh said the campaign was another stunning example of the community working together with the Foundation and the Health Service, to bring increased services to the region.
“The Foundation has contributed more than $27 million, in 27 years to improving health outcomes in the region – their impact is just immeasurable, so we’re excited to work with them again on this new project,” Ms Singh said.
She added that robotic surgery was being progressively adopted by hospitals around the world to improve the patient experience and recovery. It is increasingly becoming a preferred tool of trade for clinicians. “Keeping technologically up to date will attract and retain clinicians to the Far North,” she said.
To find out more and donate, visit www.fnqhf.org.au
Photo: CHHHS board chair Chris Boland, Foundation CEO Gina Hogan, Rod Sherrington, Sue Sherrington, Foundation chair Dr Ken Chapman, CHHHS CE Leena Singh.
