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The Ramsay Way Spring 2013

Annette Arthur, CEO Tamara Private with Dr Rob Sharp Dr Rob Sharp has been awarded the Paul Harris Fellow from the local Tamworth First Light Rotary Club in acknowledgement of his orthopaedic outreach clinic in Papua New Guinea that he donates time & money towards each year. 8 TRW SPRING 2013 Donations Program helps Island bubs Live Surgery Seminars at Westmead Westmead Private Hospital has hosted two live surgery seminars recently utilizing newly installed technology in its Conference Room. ENT surgeon Associate Professor Melivlle DaCurz performed cochlear implant surgery for visiting doctors from around the world and orthopaedic surgeon Dr Daniel Biggs did a rotator cuff repair seminar for 80 physiotherapy students The Hollywood Clinic launches day program for eating disorders In a new initiative at The Hollywood Clinic now offers patients diagnosed with eating disorders the option of a comprehensive day program. From June this year, patients can attend the Hollywood Clinic program for up to five days a week, in accordance with their individual treatment plan. Complementing the existing and well regarded inpatient program at The Hollywood Clinic, the new Day Patient Eating Disorders Program provides a service for those patients aged 16 years and over with a minimum BMI (body mass index) of 15, who do not require hospitalisation. The unique structure of the day program combines cognitive behavioural therapy groups with supported meals, exposure to social food settings and food preparation activities. The goal is to provide a powerful experiential opportunity to reduce disordered eating behaviours. “There are currently no community-based interventionist programs offering daily group support for adults with eating disorders,” said Dr Tay. “Disordered eating can significantly impair physical, psychological and social wellbeing. Left unattended, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa can continue to present a significant mortality risk.” The Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva delivers approximately 800 babies per month and has been the latest recipients of the Ramsay/ Rotary Berrima donations program. When asked what was on the wish list for the hospital, Dr James Fong, obstetrician and gynaecologist, said ‘everything helps. For instance we deliver approximately 25 babies a day using 5 delivery rooms, beds are so old, broken and covering damaged.’ Paediatrician Dr Beth Vereti was keen to get baby warmers. Surgical gowns donated by Ramsay Corporate were also gratefully received by the hospital and are being saved for use in complex surgery. The head of surgery said that the following items were in urgent need at the hospital: • Theatre recovery trolleys as operations are delayed until a recovery trolley is available. • Colostomy bags as currently patients have plastic bags taped to stomas • Bear huggers to warm patients after surgery. The hospital in Fiji has been overwhelmed with the generosity and support. This container is the second container shipped to Fiji with Ramsay donated equipment and supplies. When a mum went into earl y la bour on the inter -island ship to Suva , & gave birth to her baby weighing in at onl y 2.7kg, the humidicri bs donated by North Shore Private were just what the doctor ordered . A short time later the second humidicri b was put to good use to support another small baby of just 1.7kg needing body temperat ure reg ulation . With the cooperation of a number of local Rotary clubs the following goods will be heading to Papua New Guinea (PNG) this month: • 6 orthopaedic knee splints from Hunters Hill • 2 ventilators from Greenslopes Private • a Day Surgery Unit (DSU) trolley and a half pallet of scrubs and privacy screens from Caloundra Private, and • 4 anaesthetic machine from North Shore and Port Macquarie are destined for Mt Hagen and Mendi hospitals Ben Yapo from PNG wrote ‘Thank you for this gift which I can assure you will be put to very good use servicing a huge population up in the mountains of PNG’. Mendi, it is the capital town of the biggest resource boom province in PNG and have seen a huge migration of population putting a huge demand of the small health facility there. This will be a first proper Anaesthetic machine they have had after years of problems with poor machines and the only good one they are using at the moment is said to be a ‘anaesthetic machine for animal anaesthesia’ so it’s been used for lack of alternative!’ If you have equipment and supplies that might be suitable for donation and would like to make a difference, please contact Sue Panuccio. Koori art takes pride of place at hospital The work of Aboriginal artists is making a mark at the Mildura Base Hospital. A sculpture installation was unveiled at the hospital recently as part of a special NAIDOC Week luncheon. The sculpture comprises five pillars each decorated by a different artist, and is sited alongside the outdoor Aboriginal Healing Centre in the hospital grounds. “The poles are bright and welcoming for people as they drive into the hospital grounds, but they also make a statement about the hospital’s interest in the welfare of its Aboriginal clients,” Chief Executive Officer Dane Huxley said. “It contributes to a culturally welcoming environment, and sends a message to clients that there is a relationship between the health agencies.” The artists have been presented with certificates of appreciation. Mr Huxley said the hospital had made application for funds to extend the Koori Healing Centre. “The Healing Centre and its memorial wall are well-used by our Koori patients, but we would hope to be in a position to incorporate support facilities and perhaps some indoor meeting space on the site,” Mr Huxley said. Give Me Five’ a hit for Mildura Base kids’ ward Mildura Base Hospital’s children’s ward will be a much brighter place thanks to the huge success of the “97.9 Sun FM’s Give Me Five for Kids” fundraiser this year. The campaign ran on Mildura radio station Sun FM throughout July and received unprecedented support from business and community organisations. The end result was a record $23,407.05 in the bank for the Hospital’s Children’s Ward. “We are rapt with such a huge amount of support this year – it means we can continue the improvements we’ve been making to the children’s ward,” said the acting Nurse Unit Manager Tracey Tonkin. “Sun FM did an amazing job taking the campaign to the next level this year. They got dozens of businesses on board and that’s translated into nearly a doubling in the amount of funds raised. “And the community generosity has been just fantastic. It’s been a real boost to our staff here to have such a show of support.” Tracey said some of the money would be used for new pulse and blood-oxygen monitoring equipment and new fold-out beds for parents. “The beds, in particular, will be great, because the fold-out chairs we have here for parents urgently need replacing,” she said. “It is often little things – like Mum or Dad being able to get a comfortable night’s rest – that can make a huge difference to helping our patients have a happier stay in hospital. “We might also be able to look at some more entertainment options like new DVD players for example, that can make the long days here go a bit quicker for the kids. “We were able to start refurbishing the playroom from last year’s Give Me Five funds and the whole ward is looking brighter as a result.” Kareena Private Surgeon plasters 70 school kids! Kareena Private Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Michael Dixon spent a Saturday plastering casts on the arms of 70 kids at a local school fete. Kareena Private donated the plasters for the fete that turned out to be a huge success. Dr Dixon said he put on 70 plasters between 9.30am and 3pm. “A sore back for me and lots of puzzled mothers wondering how to get the casts off!” he joked at day’s end. OUR COMMUNITY


The Ramsay Way Spring 2013
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