The generosity of Mater supporters across Queensland is helping to transform healthcare for patients at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton.
More than $600,000 of cutting-edge medical equipment is being delivered to the hospital this year, thanks to community donations to Mater Foundation.
The equipment includes five fetal monitoring systems for the hospital, allowing babies to be monitored for signs of distress before birth and during labour.
New mum, Dr Jovina Pereira (36), who recently gave birth to baby boy Alpheus, praised the fetal monitoring system, highlighting how it allowed her to move around during labour while providing a sense of security.
“I was able to get up and move around instead of being confined to one position in bed and I could get into different positions during birth,” she said.
“It also enabled my husband to be included in the birth experience, as he could see visual representations of the contractions and Alpheus’s heart rate.”
On Wednesday 26 June, the hospital will be asking the community to show their support again on Mater Giving Day - when all donations to Mater Foundation will be tripled by matched donors.
Mater Foundation‘s next fundraising priority for Rockhampton will be a state-of-the-art Faxitron radiology system to improve care, treatment and outcomes for people with breast cancer.
The technology ensures breast cancer margins are verified during surgery, preventing the need for patients to undergo further treatment to remove additional tissue.
Mater Private Hospital General Manager Alison Boyle said equipment funded by community donations would make a major difference to healthcare in Rockhampton.
“Medical technology is constantly evolving and it’s so important for our patients that we can bring that technology into our operating theatres and wards,” Ms Boyle said.
“Our doctors and medical teams play a key role in choosing which devices and systems are purchased to ensure every dollar donated delivers the maximum benefit for our patients. materfoundation.org.au
“Whether it provides improved outcomes for mothers and babies, or delivers life-saving surgery for breast cancer patients, the new technology will make a positive impact on the health of our community.”
Mater Foundation Chief Executive Andrew Thomas said the new equipment at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton was a great example of community fund-raising leading to improved patient care for the community.
“Mater Giving Day – Wednesday 26 June – is the day the community can give to make good things happen,” Mr Thomas said.
“This special day unites Mater staff, patients, loved ones and supporters with gratitude to help deliver life-saving medical equipment, research, education and healthcare.
“After Giving Day 2024, we’re hoping we can provide state-of-the-art breast surgery technology to support Central Queensland patients through their cancer journey.
“The great news this year is that Mater’s generous Matched Givers have pledged to triple every single dollar raised by the community in Rockhampton and across Queensland – so the impact of community fundraising will make a truly incredible difference to Mater patients.”
Donations can be made online at https://mater.li/giving-day up until midnight June 26.
