Thanks to Dry July funding, the Calvary Mater Newcastle Haematology Unit, consisting of a 16-bed inpatient ward (Ward 5C) and a haematology day ward (Ward 5D), was able to purchase a number of items for patient comfort and care.

A comfy treatment chair  

Patients receiving treatment in the day ward now benefit from a new comfy treatment chair. This purchase has allowed the ward to replace one of its well-used and aging treatment chairs with something more comfortable.

Patients can be seated for treatment, including transfusions and chemotherapy for up to seven hours in the day ward, so this preferred chair is not only very comfortable it can also be positioned to provide care in the lying position.

A patient commenting on the new chair, “It’s great, the chair provides physical ease and relaxation for me when I come for my treatment”, with another patient saying, “I love that I can recline.”

An observation machine

Ward 5D is now a proud owner of a new observation machine that will enable staff to easily attend frequent patient observations during transfusions and chemotherapy. The extra machine will ensure safety of patients during infusions by identifying early symptoms if complications arise.  

Pressure injury prevention equipment for patients  

New pressure injury prevention equipment has now been bought for the Haematology Unit thanks to the generosity of Dry Julyers. The new gel cushions and waffle cushions have already been of great assistance to a number of haematology patients. The cushions assist with decreasing the risk of patients developing pressure injuries and increase patient comfort when sitting in a chair. This assists with reducing the impact of deconditioning and makes it easier for patients to transition back to home.