Health Fund PLUS Helps Ease the Pressure

Posted on: 12/07/19

Thanks to a generous donation from Dairy Goat Co-operative Trust to Northland DHB via Health Fund PLUS, a time-saving device has been installed into the Whangarei Hospital Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) enabling staff to analyse test results faster.

The new i-STAT Alinity Analyser is an advanced, easy-to-use, portable system that delivers real-time, lab-quality blood test results at the point of care. The system allows staff to take the technology to babies in the unit to do on-the-spot blood tests.

SCBU associate clinical nurse manager Merophy Brown says being able to see results within minutes, instead of having to leave the unit and wait around for bloods to be processed in the lab and uploaded to Concerto, saves vital time and ensures care is appropriate for the current clinical picture. It has been especially useful if they have a baby with low blood sugars because they can treat them promptly, reducing any harm.

Staff must undertake 30 minutes training and pass a theory test before using the hand-held analyser, but Merophy says it is incredibly user friendly. “We are really grateful, and appreciate having this money donated to purchase such a beneficial piece of equipment that will allow us to provide time-critical care.”

Dairy Goat Co-operative Trust was established in 2017 to strengthen shareholder communities in Northland, Taranaki and Waikato through charitable donations which nourish and care for future generations. The Trust’s primary source of funding is its farmer shareholders, supplemented by contributions from fundraising events involving Dairy Goat Co-operative staff, shareholders and goods/services providers.

Dairy Goat Co-operative Trust Chair, Nicola Locke, says funding focuses on organisations which aim to improve the health, education and welfare of children and families. “We are delighted to be able to support the local community in such a meaningful way. The donation fits perfectly with the mission and purpose of the Trust. The new equipment will make a big difference to the care of infants in SCBU.”

Health Fund PLUS has been set up by Northland DHB and Northland Community Foundation so people can give to the DHB by way of donations or endowments. Health Fund PLUS enables Northland DHB to purchase equipment and services over and above what can be purchased through Government funding, helping the organisation provide the best quality healthcare possible to the people of Northland.

Giving is easy. You can give a regular donation, a one-off gift, or make provisions in your Will. Click here for more information about how you can contribute to Health Fund PLUS, or here to find out more about how Health Fund PLUS works.

To talk about your idea for a gift and discuss how you would like to contribute, contact us.

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Health Fund PLUS Helps Ease the Pressure

Posted on: 12/07/19

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