Release date: 27/08/2010
Visiting a loved one in hospital will be a little more comfortable, thanks to new furniture to be provided by Kedron Wavell Services Club.
The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation has established the Kedron Wavell Services Club Patient Enrichment Fund through an agreement signed with the club. Foundation CEO Kate Ashton said the three-year agreement will help fund new sofa beds for the Palliative Care Unit, which provides health care support to people with a life-limiting illness. “When a person is in Palliative Care, it’s an extremely distressing time for their family. Having the option to spend the night in the unit with your parent or partner offers some degree of comfort,” Ms Ashton said. Kedron Wavell Services Club Secretary Manager Chris Sartori said the agreement reflects the strong relationship which has developed over the past 40 years between the club and the hospital. “It’s so important to help people in this situation,” Mr Sartori said. “Kedron Wavell Services Club is pleased to be able to provide support which will have real tangible benefits for patients and their families.” The agreement will also fund shade sails for the patient courtyard and update existing pressure-relieving mattresses for patients. Palliative Care’s Nurse Unit Manager Toni Bradley said patients who are physically compromised are at risk of developing pressure ulcers. “Pressure Relieving mattresses are specially designed to reduce this risk and provide comfort,” Ms Bradley said. “Patient comfort is one of the primary concerns of the Palliative Care Service and we are grateful to the members and management of Kedron Wavell Services Club for their support.” The Palliative Care Unit will receive $42,000 over three years as part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Club. The agreement also provides $30,000 a year to support nursing research, as well as funding for emergency toiletries for people unexpectedly admitted to hospital overnight. “Patients who are admitted to hospital suddenly haven’t even had time to pack a toothbrush,” Ms Ashton said. Download the media release (pdf)
Media contacts: Christine Atkinson, The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation ph (07) 3139 6350