Thanks Forte Health
Monitors, pumps, IV sets and beds have all been on the move, from Forté Health to the Canterbury Charity Hospital.
The donated equipment was delivered to the Charity Hospital over the last month and has been very gratefully received. It will support the Canterbury Charity Hospital fulfil its mission of offering free medical, surgical and dental services to the people of Canterbury and the West Coast.
Canterbury Charity Hospital Executive Officer Carl Shaw says their team is over the moon at the new equipment.
“We were on the cusp of replacing our 17-year-old beds, so to have three lovely beds donated by Forté Health Hospital has been amazing as it’s meant we can spend our funds more directly on patients. The new monitors are also a great asset to our hospital.”
The equipment came from Forté’s PACU (Post Anaesthetic Care Unit) and included six GE Carescape B450 monitors (complete with monitoring equipment, wall brackets and cables), 6 IV fluid GP Alaris pumps with 26 IV giving sets, and three Howard Wright trolley beds.
Forté Health Hospital PACU Manager Dorothy Gelens says donating the equipment to the Canterbury Charity Hospital was a no-brainer.
“Our role is to support not only the patients who come here to Forté Health, but to support the wider health system and the health of our community. The Canterbury Charity Hospital is an incredible organisation and we’re delighted that by donating this equipment we can support their volunteer team in the amazing work they do.”
Charity Hospital clinical nurse Averill with the new equipment in the recovery room.
Christmas Trail fundraising for Charity Hospital
There are a variety of homes which are all stunningly decorated for Christmas and showcase many unique features. There is a real antique winter sleigh, stunning floral displays and decorating demonstrations, carol singing, cosy fires, candles and Christmas cooking, and Santa Claus dropped in for the day!
The Christmas Winter Trail is run by the Zonta Club of Christchurch-Canterbury and their members contribute hundreds of hours to planning and preparing for the event. Zonta is very grateful to the wonderful homeowners for so kindly making their properties available.
Early bird tickets until 16 June: $65.00. Thereafter: $75.00.
Tickets at Winter Christmas Trail – Zonta Christchurch Canterbury
Amanda new Charity Hospital trustee
She is delighted to be a small part of such a meaningful and inspiring undertaking, and knows well, herself, the frustration of being passed by when official channels of the ‘system’ fail.
“To be left without proper medical attention when the right procedure can overcome years of pain and lack of appropriate medical attention, only results in further unnecessary distress for individuals and their families.
“Thankfully, thousands of patients have been relieved of such burdens and their costs, at our Canterbury Charity Hospital.”
Mandy feels that it is an honour to be able to continue to work on behalf of those without the help they deserve, to get their medical needs met by the CCHT’s very special team of volunteers and like-minded people.
She looks forward to working alongside the Trustees in maintaining this amazing service for people in need.
Increased demand for endoscopy and elective services leads to hospital expansion
In recent years, the Charity Hospital has seen more cases of rectal bleeding for under 50s from the Canterbury area.
“This younger group of patients has shown to have increasing issues including bowel cancer over recent times. The hospital, which sees patients who can’t be seen in the public system regularly detects significant abnormalities including cancer in this age group and we are saving lives,” says nurse specialist Anita Tuck.
In addition to the growing need for endoscopy services, other free surgical services are all leading to more patients being seen by the charity.
“This is further necessary since the hospital increased its eligibility to the whole of Canterbury, including Timaru and the West Coast,“ says Carl Shaw, executive officer.
The demand has led to a further expansion of the site which now extends from the original Harewood road site and now down Leacroft Street. As well as freeing up more surgical space in the original buildings the two linked buildings have created an enhanced patient services reception, areas for its large workforce of volunteer staff and overnight volunteer accommodation.
“The move will provide a more comfortable experience for all visitors to the hospital, patients and volunteers alike,” says charge nurse Averill Williamson.
The hospital was opened and rededicated to the community on Friday 16 December 2022 by Mayor Phil Mauger and hospital patron Sir Jerry Mateparae, followed by a Christmas function for guests and many of its 250 volunteers who regularly work at the hospital.
The Canterbury Charity Hospital provides a range of free surgical, medical and dental services, along with counselling. They do not receive any Government funding and rely entirely on the generosity of their volunteers’ time to reduce their annual operating costs from $2.8 million to around $950,000 a year.
Charity Hospital chairman Phil Bagshaw at the opening.
Roaring 20’s Ball a roaring success
The Christchurch Town Hall’s Limes Room was recently transformed into a Roaring 20’s Ball to raise funds for the Canterbury Charity Hospital.
Everyone had an awesome time dressed up in their 20’s finery and danced the night away to the music of local band The Mule.
MC Mark Hadlow flew in for the evening and was joined by auctioneer Phil McGoldrick who was in charge of the live auction which featured an E-bike, Crusaders jersey and MediaWorks advertising vouchers.
