WHEN Latrobe Regional Hospital set a target of $35,000 to purchase 10 vital signs monitors as part of its annual tax appeal, it was an “achievable and reasonable target”; however, their expectations were exceeded when they collected almost double the amount.
LRH board chair Kellie O’Callaghan said the hospital was thrilled at receiving donations totalling $67,938, which was enough to purchase 19 of the machines.
“It’s been our best year so far; some of our donors give to the hospital on a regular basis, but we have seen an increase in people giving to the hospital for the first time,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
“With the significant amount raised, we could buy more of the machines, so there is less of a need to move them around the hospital which gives us more flexibility.”
The monitors, which were delivered to LRH last week, were already in the wards and being used by nursing staff to provide fast and accurate readings of patients’ vital signs, including blood pressure, temperature, pulse and oxygen saturation levels.
According to Ms O’Callaghan, the end of the financial year was a popular time for people to give to the hospital.
“Each year at tax time the community is very generous; this enables the hospital to purchase additional equipment for the benefit of our staff and patients,” she said.
For more information or to make a donation, phone the LRH fundraising team on 5173 5877.
