Lions donate to hospital

Patient care at the West Gippsland Hospital has received a major boost through a $25,000 donation by Warragul Lions Club.

West Gippsland Healthcare Group chair Christine Holland described the donation by Lions as “a wonderful gesture” at a time when many fund-raising activities have stopped due to COVID-19 and cancellation of the hospital’s annual equipment appeal.

The donation has enabled the WGHG to buy three high flow oxygen units and five vital signs monitors that would be used for patients with respiratory issues that need to be monitored around the clock.

Warragul Lions has been a strong supporter of the hospital over many years.

President Peter Hammond said that over the past three years the club’s donations had included a birthing bed for the maternity ward and, in 2018 in partnership with Drouin Rotary club, an ultrasound.

He said despite curtailment of fund-raising over the past three months Warragul Lions club had been able to make a significant donation to the hospital as a result of catering and sales of firewood and Lions Christmas cakes and mints.

Acting director of clinical operations at the hospital Bernie McKenna said the donation greatly boosted capabilities of the medical and surgical units, emergency department and the district nursing Hospital in the Home program.

The equipment will be well used by patients of all ages and health needs especially with the winter ‘flu season approaching when more patients present with respiratory and other conditions, she added.

Ms Holland said although the annual equipment appeal had been cancelled in recognition that many long-term supporters and others may have been financially impacted by measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it had been heartening that donations had been received online and in the post.

Tax deductible donations towards medical equipment can be made online via www.wghg.com.au or by ‘phoning 5623 6000.