Donation From Dairy Goat Cooperative Trust Helps Save Northland Lives
A time saving device has been installed into the Whangarei Hospital Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) enabling staff to analyse test results faster than ever before thanks to a generous donation from Dairy Goat Co-operative Trust to Northland DHB via Health Fund PLUS.
The new i-STAT Alinity Analyzer is an advanced, easy-to-use, portable system that delivers real-time, lab-quality blood test results at the point of care. The system was installed in SCBU six weeks ago and allows staff to take the technology to babies in the Unit to do on the spot blood tests with results obtained almost straight away, meaning care can be escalated.
SCBU associate clinical nurse manager Merophy Brown says having the ability to see results within minutes, instead of leaving the Unit, waiting for bloods to be processed in the lab and then uploaded to Concerto will save lots of time and ensure care is appropriate for the current clinical picture.
Staff can be trained to use the handheld analyser in just 30 minutes, and once they pass a theory test, they can put it into use. Merophy says the Alinity is incredibly user friendly with picture prompts and is especially useful if they have a baby with low blood sugars, as they can be treated promptly to reduce any harm.
“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.”
The substantial donation came from Dairy Goat Co-operative Trust, which was established in 2017 with the aim of strengthening shareholder communities 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 fund raising events involving Dairy Goat Co-operative staff, shareholders and goods/services providers.
Dairy Goat Co-operative Trust Chair, Nicola Locke, says funding is focused on organisations in the Co-operative’s shareholder regions, i.e. Northland, Taranaki and Waikato, 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 to provide a way for people to 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. People can give a regular donation, a one-off gift, or there is an option to make provisions in your Will. The first thing is to contact the Northland Community Foundation to talk about your idea for a gift and discuss how you would like to contribute.
Call Northland Community Foundation on 021 558 224 at any time for all the information you need.
SCBU Nurse Vivian Tundagui using the Unit
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