Operation ultrasound

The Phillip Island Health Hub Auxiliary is on a mission - to purchase an Ultrasound machine for the Phillip Island Community Hospital Urgent Care Centre.

They are looking to raise almost $62,000 to purchase a new Sonosite ST Ultrasound System for the hospital.

This continues the legacy of the first Ultrasound machine funded by "Swim for Life".

"Swim for Life" was an initiative of Amanda Drennan, who in 2011 circumnavigated the Island, swimming in a shark proof cage, to raise funds for Warley Hospital.

After the closure of Warley Hospital, it was agreed that these funds would be used to purchase medical equipment for the Phillip Island Urgent Care Centre.

An Ultrasound was purchased in 2018 and after eight years of constant use it has reached the end of its life.

"Amanda is a hardworking, valued member of the Phillip Island Health Hub Auxiliary, so this latest project seems a fitting way to honour her previous achievement," explained Gill Scrase from the Auxiliary.

As a piece of vital diagnostic equipment, the Ultrasound now requires replacement.

"The Urgent Care Centre (UCC) uses an Ultrasound machine at point-of-care for rapid, bedside, non-invasive medical imaging," said Gill.

"This accelerates decision-making in time-sensitive, critical cases. By providing immediate diagnostic information, the Ultrasound machine allows clinicians to quickly identify life-threatening conditions (such as shock, trauma, or internal bleeding) without moving patients to a radiology suite and therefore results in better patient outcomes."

Campaign

Gill said proceeds from all the Auxiliary's fundraising activities over the next six to nine months would be directed towards the Ultrasound machine.

The campaign to raise funds will run across many platforms - including an online campaign which is now live.

"This will make it easy for people to make a contribution," explained Gill.
"They'll be able to scan the QR to donate and they will get a tax receipt.

The money will go directly into a holding account with Bayside Health, until the target is reached."

Gill said other events were in the process of being finalised, and would include regular fundraisers such as the Mitre 10 Sausage Sizzle, Christmas photo shoot and the annual Woolamai Race Day.

"We will release the details of all these events as soon as we can - so watch this space."

In addition the Auxiliary is also seeking grants from large local business organisations to help reach their fundraising target.

"We are hoping the community rallies together to support this fundraising effort which will have a direct impact on saving lives," Gill said.

For further information please contact Gill Scrase 0431 672 777, Louanne Caldwell 0421 078 503 or Wayne Stanley 0408 708 728.