The astonishing commitment of Mid North Coast hospital volunteers was celebrated at the United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW's recent Zone Day.
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About 60 volunteers representing the UHA and Pink Ladies at hospitals and community health centres from Coffs Harbour to Wingham attended the annual get-together, which this year was hosted by the Wauchope Hospital Volunteers.
Branch reports revealed a massive $462,000 worth of equipment had been donated to Mid North Coast Local Health District hospitals and community health centres in the 2017-18 financial year and an amazing 101,000 volunteer hours had been logged by the UHA's 537 volunteers.
BowraMacksville Hospital Auxiliary's support of Macksville District Hospital included $43,150 in donated medical equipment and patient comfort items. The list of donated items included part funding of an ultrasound system for the hospital's ED. The generous support was made possible by the branch's 58 members who gave a total of 8334 volunteer hours, much of it in the hospital's famous Carpark Café and on the Pink Ladies ward trolley.
Nambucca Auxiliary, which also fundraises in support of Macksville Hospital, donated $21,000 in medical equipment, including a bladder scanner and patient stand.
MNCLHD Chief Executive Stewart Dowrick attended the Zone Day to personally thank the volunteers for their time, hard work, and compassion.
Our first gift is of time and our second is the gift of purchases
- UHA State President Linda Swales
"These wonderful people turn up at our hospitals week after week, working in cafes, helping patients, assisting staff, providing a carpark pick-up and drop-off service for visitors and so much more," Mr Dowrick said.
"They are a vital part of our Health team on the Mid North Coast and it's an honour to know and work with them.
"We are indebted to our volunteers who are never too busy to share a kind word and a smile with our patients and our staff. They make the world of difference at all of our sites."
Also attending the Zone Day was Oxley MP Melinda Pavey, the UHA's State President Linda Swales of Batlow and the North East Regional Representative Dee Hunter of Nambucca.
"Volunteering is a wonderful way to become involved in the community and make a difference," the State President said.
"We, the members, know that giving the gift of time, skills and talents is a rewarding experience for us all.
"Our first gift is of time and our second is the gift of purchases to fulfil our commitment of care and comfort for patients, clients and residents," Mrs Swales said.
