NO MORE HOT AIR: Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, centre, with Glen Innes Severn Mayor Steve Toms, left, Mick McClelland, Penny Whan, Carolyn McClelland, Edna Holder, Anne Brewer, Helen Bruton, Carol Shannon, and Neil Shannon. Front, Jan Sharman and Hospital Service Manager Cathryn ‘Topsy’ Jones.
Monday, 4 December 2017
VISITORS and staff at Glen Innes Hospital will notice improved comfort and convenience this summer, thanks to $500,000 in recently completed air conditioning and medical gas upgrades funded by the NSW Government and the Glen Innes Hospital Auxiliary.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall last week joined Hospital Service Manager Cathryn ‘Topsy’ Jones, Auxiliary president Jan Sharman and members of the committee to inspect the upgrades ahead of their first test this summer.
“These upgrades will make Glen Innes Hospital a more comfortable place for patients, while boosting standards of clinical care through improved efficiency for staff,” Mr Marshall said.
“Reverse cycle air conditioning has been installed though the first floor, ensuring the general and maternity wards can stay cool in summer and warm in winter.
“While staff did their best to battle the elements with heaters and fans, the temperature of wards was a common complaint from patients and staff.”
Mr Marshall said improved infrastructure would also simplify processes for medical staff.
“The days of nurses wheeling gas cylinders through the hospital are over, thanks to a new piping system that will move oxygen, medical air and a vacuum through between wards,” he said.
“Nurses will now plug ventilators directly into a wall-mounted medical services panel, which will provide easy access to medical gases, electricity, alert systems and air conditioning controls.”
Mr Marshall thanked the Glen Innes Hospital Auxiliary for its important role in raising funds for the upgrades.
“Between the Opportunity Shop, bake sales, fundraisers and raffles, the Auxiliary has shown that this is the Glen Innes Community’s hospital,” Mr Marshall said.
“With Armidale Hospital and Inverell Hospital redevelopments now in advanced stages, I’d like to see further major upgrades on the cards for Glen Innes.”