Bingo in Atherton is helping improve patient care, with funds raised through weekly sessions contributing to a new portable ultrasound for the Medical Imaging Department at Atherton Hospital.
Led by the Atherton Hospital Friends of the Foundation (a subsidiary of the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation), the weekly Tuesday sessions have played a significant role in funding the new equipment, alongside proceeds from raffles, donation tins and other fundraising efforts.
Atherton Hospital Senior Radiographer Jamieson Barnes said the portable ultrasound was already making a difference for patients undergoing imaging procedures.
“Many of the patients we see regularly have undergone treatments that can make cannulation more difficult over time,” Mr Barnes said. “Using ultrasound as a complementary aid helps reduce the need for multiple attempts, minimising discomfort for patients and improving safety during procedures,” he said.
The technology is primarily used to support cannulation for outpatients prior to CT scans, including patients referred from specialties such as oncology, urology, respiratory and general surgery.
Mr Barnes said the introduction of the portable ultrasound also reflects broader developments in medical imaging. “Point-of-care ultrasound is a growing area because it provides rapid, non-invasive imaging to support clinical care,” he said. “While we’re still in the early stages across the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, increased access to equipment like this positions us well to expand its use in the future.”
Atherton Hospital Friends of the Foundation President Mary Fitzsimons said the achievement reflected the persistence and commitment of the local volunteer community. “Our bingo volunteers show up week-after-week without complaint, raising funds that directly support better care for patients in our hospital,” Mrs Fitzsimons said. “This equipment will help reduce discomfort, shorten procedures and improve the overall experience for people needing imaging services. The portable ultrasound allows clinicians to deliver care in a way that reduces patient distress, minimises tissue damage and supports faster, more effective treatment.”
Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said the purchase was yet another example of the Atherton Hospital Friends group’s dedication and hard work. “Purchases like this truly demonstrate the Foundation’s mantra that we support health services from Tully to the Torres Cape. It’s so important to keep patients close to their communities as much as possible and developments such as this, are valuable pieces of that puzzle,” Mrs Hogan said.
• Bingo is held every Tuesday from 9am until midday at the Atherton International Club.
Photo: Atherton Friends representative Jo Barnes, Atherton Hospital Director of Nursing and Midwifery Eliza Mathew, Foundation CEO Gina Hogan, Friends representative Tony Birch, Atherton Friends representative Gill Birch, Atherton Hospital radiographer Katrina Barnes, and Atherton Friends representative Wendy Gallen.
