25 August 2008

St George patients to benefit from bed race funds

St George Hospital’s Emergency Department, Maternity and Gynaecology Wards are already the winners of this year’s Kogarah Fair and Charity Bed Race.

A slit lamp for the Hospital’s Emergency Department, a birthing bed for the Delivery Suite, a vital signs monitor for the Gynaecology Ward and an electric breast pump for the Maternity Ward are on the shopping list of the Lamrock Committee and Kogarah Council who will be co-hosting the event on Saturday 6 September.

Dr Adam Chan, Director of the Hospital’s Emergency Department said the slit lamp will allow doctors to examine a patient’s eye under high magnification.

"The slit lamp is a microscope with a light attached, and is used to investigate eye emergencies such as trauma or infection," Dr Chan said.

"This equipment is a vital tool when examining and making a diagnosis and is used primarily to view the anterior structures of the eye such as the cornea, iris, and lens," he said.

Deb Matha, Midwifery and Nursing Co-director for Women’s and Children’s Health said the new equipment for the Hospital’s Maternity and Gynaecology Services will provide staff and patients access to the latest technology available.

"The birthing bed will provide optimal physical support to women during labour and birth, while the new electric breast pump will allow new mothers access to the most up-to-date equipment for supplying breast milk to their babies when needed," Ms Matha said.

“Patient comfort and care will be enhanced with a new vital signs monitor which will allow faster, easier and more reliable vital signs to be taken in about half the time of existing equipment.”

Kogarah Mayor, Cr Nick Katris said that the annual Kogarah Fair and Charity Bed Race is a great opportunity for the community to support the work of St George Hospital.

"Our unique community event not only provides an action-packed day of family fun, it also raises much-needed funds to purchase medical equipment so our local hospital can provide an even better service both for our local residents and visitors from further afield," Cr Katris said.

Hospital teams, Kogarah Council, service clubs such as Lions and Rotary, high schools, banks, NSW Police, the NSW Fire Service, the State Emergency Services (SES) and local businesses are among those who will race beds down Railway Parade.

The action will start at 10.00am with a bed parade and marching bands.

If you would like further information, or would like to participate in the Kogarah Fair and Charity Bed Race, please contact Mrs Ros Comino on 9529 6508, or Ms Jacinta Sunderland on 9330 9424, or visit www.kogarah.nsw.gov.au.

Media contact: South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health
Media and Communications Officer Maxine Brennan, 9113 2601, 0413 028 776