Community donors have backed innovative clinicians at West Moreton Health to launch tech advances and services to give more people access to quality care.
Ten projects, including a game-changing new technology used in breast cancer surgery and the introduction of cutting-edge cardiac equipment used during the placements of stents, will change the way care is delivered in West Moreton.
Ipswich Hospital Foundation (IHF) Chief Executive Officer Scott Young said the projects had been funded through its new Impact Funding grants program, which aimed to improve health outcomes and patient experiences through community involvement.
“It’s thanks to the incredible support and generosity of this community that Ipswich Hospital Foundation can support West Moreton Health teams to pursue some incredible new projects dedicated to improving health outcomes, right across the region,” Mr Young said.
Mr Young said the Impact Funding grants program had been funded by supporters and generous donors from its annual tax and Christmas appeals and funds raised at events such as Go Pink, Park2Park, and the IHF 25th gala anniversary dinner.
“We’re extremely grateful to the community and excited to continue our work to bring better healthcare closer to home.”
West Moreton Health Chief Executive Hannah Bloch said the funding would provide the local community with access to latest technologies and new equipment, research into conditions that affect patients with severe mental illnesses, and programs to inform and support the local community.
“Tech advances and equipment delivered through the IHF Impact Funding will give more people in the community access to the best possible healthcare they need, and sooner,” Ms Bloch said.
“We are thrilled to partner with Ipswich Hospital Foundation and would like to thank the many donors from across the region for the important role they play helping the West Moreton Health population achieve the best possible health.
“IHF is also supporting our staff to improve their clinical capabilities by accessing latest technologies and pursing innovation.”
What is Impact Funding?
Ipswich Hospital Foundation’s Impact Funding is a quarterly funding program, allowing West Moreton Health employees and departments an opportunity to apply for funding for innovative medical equipment, enhancing patient and support persons’ care, health promotion and research and innovation.
Funding aligns with West Moreton population key health priorities including:
- Care closer to home
- First Nation’s health equity
- Chronic disease
- Mental health
- Patient and support persons’ experience
Ipswich Hospital Foundation’s Impact Funding will deliver the following programs:
- Ipswich Hospital will be the first public hospital in Queensland to offer the SCOUT wire-free breast localisation technology, an innovative piece of equipment that will eliminate the need for existing hookwire procedures, and significantly reduce stress and discomfort for breast cancer patients.
- cutting-edge technology that enables doctors to see detailed images of the inside of blood vessels, allowing them to visualise the exact location and size of blockages and precisely guide the placement of stents to restore blood flow to the heart.
- new equipment to improve the lives of patients with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) as the result of a chronic condition.
- new adaptive aids for patients with upper limb impairment to improve their independence.
- a new screening device to enhance diagnosis and wound treatment by the Wound Care Nurse Team
- an education and awareness program on kidney health for Samoan Australians
- creating a more welcoming waiting area for rehabilitation patients.
- additional training innovations for X-ray operators
- funding to support Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Day in 2024
In addition to these 10 key projects, IHF and WMH are delighted to announce Speech Pathology and Audiology Director Dr Katrina Dunn is the recipient of IHF’s grant for mental health research.
The $30,000 grant is made possible by funds raised at IHF’s 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner held in 2023.
The grant will allow Dr Dunn and her team to study dysphagia presentation and management in adult patients who experience significant mental health impacts.