THE BowraMacksville branch of the United Hospital Auxiliary (UHA) has donated a $70,000 ultrasound machine to Macksville District Hospital using proceeds from its on-site café.

Branch president Lorraine Edmondson said the donation of life-saving equipment was an amazing tribute to the hard work and generosity of her volunteers.

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“We are so very happy to be able to donate this important piece of equipment to Macksville Hospital, where it will be put to great use in Emergency and in Maternity,” Lorraine said.

“$70,000 is a lot of money…and it’s a lot of coffees.

“We have such a hard-working group of volunteers who are so willing to fill the café roster and in doing so provide a tremendous service to the hospital as well.”

Susan Hedgecoe, speaking on behalf of the Macksville UHA volunteers, told News Of The Area, “Our volunteers are people who want to contribute to the community and to support both hospital staff and patients.

“All volunteers are trained in food preparation and coffee making.

“Some volunteers work at the cafe once a fortnight or once a month, several are there every week.

“Sometimes it is as much the cheerful smile, the words of encouragement or the sympathetic ear that is valued as much as the coffee, cake or burger.”

Macksville’s Director Emergency Medicine Dr Karly Field described the ultrasound as a “really crucial” piece of equipment.

“It is used in Emergency Medicine to assess heart function, assess patients with trauma, to put cannulas into veins, and a whole range of diverse diagnostics,” Dr Field said.

“We are very grateful to the volunteers for their hard work and generosity in making this donation possible.”

Also thankful for the donation was Midwifery Group Practice Manager Connie Greenwood from the Macksville Hospital Maternity Service.

“We can’t thank the UHA volunteers enough for this life-saving piece of equipment.

“It is worth every cent of its $70,000 price tag.

“We know it is a lot of coffee to sell, and so we thank the BowraMacksville UHA, from the bottom of our hearts, for such an important donation.”

Anyone wanting to make new friends while supporting their local hospital through the UHA café volunteers is encouraged to phone the café on 6598 3392 and leave their details or contact Heather Edwards at heather_edw@yahoo.com.au.

By Andrea FERRARI