Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital

Thank you for taking on the Dry July challenge and supporting Calvary Mater Newcastle this year. This has enabled the hospital to fund projects and equipment that assist our patients, their families and carers, toward a more comfortable experience during and following their cancer treatment. We are extremely grateful for your fundraising efforts and dedication.

Your fundraising for Dry July this year has enabled Calvary Mater Newcastle to purchase the following items:

• New assistive equipment and pressure care items for the hospital’s Oncology Loan Pool Equipment.

• Scarves/turbans for people experiencing hair loss after cancer treatment.

• Postoperative bras for women undergoing surgery for breast cancer and breast reconstructive surgery.

• Four CADD pumps. CADD pumps are small light weight infusion pumps for patients who require continuous therapy over a number of days. These pumps will assist the Day Treatment Centre to deliver at home chemotherapy to a greater number of patients.

• Two low profile beds for Ward 5B (Oncology).

• A mural for the entry corridor to a treatment unit in Radiation Oncology.

• 10 vital signs monitors for installation in single rooms on Ward 5C (Haematology)

As you can see, this funding will allow us to update and enhance a wide variety of equipment that will help make our patient’s more comfortable, whether as an inpatient or outpatient. 

On behalf of all the patients and staff at Calvary Mater Newcastle, we would like to thank you for your support and contribution to making a positive difference in the lives of people living with cancer.

A safer weigh

The previous scales used in the Day Treatment Centre did not have a rail to hold onto and had a fairly large step up to them which was hazardous for those patients who are at risk of falling.

Marissa Ledlin, Nurse Unit Manager, Day Treatment Centre commented, “All of our patients are weighed at each visit to the department. The new scales have improved the stability of our patients when they are getting on and off the device. Staff in the Day Treatment Centre have also commented that they feel much happier knowing patients are safe from any harm.”

What a relief

The surgical ward supports patients both pre and post operatively in their cancer journey. Providing patients with equipment to facilitate a timely discharge home without complications is important. One of these preventable complications is pressure injuries. Pressure injuries are not only costly for the hospital, but can cause unnecessary pain and extend a patients stay in hospital, keeping them away from loved ones.

Lara Riley, Nurse Unit Manager, Ward 4B, said, “With the generous support of Dry July, we were able to purchase four ROHO cushions, in two different sizes.

“Surgery and treatment may prevent our patients from moving around as they would normally do, and can increase the risk of impaired skin integrity. This may lead to skin injury, pain, and potentially increased length of stay in hospital.

“The ROHO cushions assist in maintaining good skin integrity and provide comfort for patients when sitting out of bed. With more cushions, we are now able to ensure more patients can recover in comfort, getting them home to their families faster.”

Built for comfort 

Marissa Ledlin, Nurse Unit Manager of the Day Treatment Centre, comments, “With long hours spent receiving chemotherapy, it is important that our patients remain comfortable during this time. The new chemotherapy chairs are so comfortable, sometimes we need to wake the patients up when their treatment is complete. The chairs have silica upholstery which will reduce the risk of pressure injury to patients. A multimedia platform provides a place for personal equipment to prevent boredom and a USB port to charge their personal devices. All these features will increase patient comfort and improve their treatment experience.

“These chairs have not only proved popular with our patients, but with nurses as well. It is very important to the staff that we make the experience as comfortable as possible for our patients, the new chairs are just another thing that helps create this feeling. The chairs also have several features which give the staff safer access to the patients when administering treatment.”

Patient Paul Battle is all about continuous improvement, adding, “If the patient is comfortable, which I have been during my treatment, time goes by very quickly. I’m also glad to hear that nurses are also benefitting from the new treatment chair. It’s great that the hospital is able to purchase the latest patient equipment with Dry July funding.”

Thank you so much to everyone involved for helping us to update our treatment chairs.

Patients attending the Day Treatment Centre have regular cannulations for their chemotherapy treatment and for some patients this can be a long and uncomfortable experience.

Day Treatment Centre Nurse Unit Manager, Marissa Ledlin, comments, “Overtime, because of frequent cannulations and treatment, patients’ veins can become more problematic to cannulate. These new ultrasound machines can significantly cut back the number of attempts when staff are faced with a difficult cannulation, relieving unnecessary stress and time for our patients.”

Breast cancer patient, Tamie Geosits, has been receiving chemotherapy for almost a year. In the past, there have been occasions where cannulations have been difficult, Tamie has endured long attempts at finding a vein.

Tamie said, “Needles have never bothered me. However, on one occasion it took over an hour before a vein was found. I was bruised and pin-pricked. It was an uncomfortable and time consuming experience for me.

“On my seventh round of treatment I was cannulated by a nurse using the new ultrasound machine, five minutes later I was hooked up and receiving chemotherapy. It has been such a different experience ever since. I work in health so I understand how important this type of equipment is to both patients and staff. It’s quick and easy for both the patient and the nurse, it’s a win-win.”

Thanks to Dry July and its participants for giving us more options, making the process of difficult cannulation more effective, and less traumatic for our patients.