New equipment for Narrabri District Health Service

While the redevelopment of Narrabri District Health Service is going to benefit the local community with a state-of-the-art hospital and Community Health Centre once completed, the existing facilities have recently received a boost with approximately $160,000 worth of upgrades to medical equipment.

The improvements, which are associated with the redevelopment currently underway, include:

• A digital Tympanometer and Otoscope for viewing ear drums
• A new birthing bed for delivery suite.
• A DCA Vantage Analyser which is a point of care testing equipment for testing blood glucose levels in diabetics over a three month period in Community Health
• Day surgery and operating theatre including:
o Emergency trolleys and theatre equipment including a Zoll R Series Defibrillator with pacing
o Scope Trolley - monitor, camera, processor and sterilising equipment
o Smart-read EZ Test Biological Indicator Monitoring
• Walking frames
• A variety of gardening and maintenance equipment

Narrabri Community Health Manager Margo Carberry said the $160,000 in upgrades would be much welcomed by both staff and patients.

“These enhancements will complement the current equipment available, giving staff with access to state–of-the-art tools so they can provide improved care to patients,” Mrs Carberry said.

The new equipment is timely because it will allow staff to be familiar with its use before the transition to the new facility. Some pieces, such as the digital tympanometer, are not available in other local health services.

“This represents is a significant investment in improving facilities at Narrabri District Health Service for the long-term benefit of the community,” Mrs Carberry said.

“Hunter New England Health is committed to providing high quality care and we are pleased to be able to deliver continuous improvements in equipment and facilities for local people.

“We would like to thank the people of Narrabri for their support during the redevelopment process and ask for their continued understanding and patience with changes occurring during this time.”

The $41.7 million Narrabri District Health Service Redevelopment project is a partnership between the Commonwealth and the NSW Government and is expected to be completed by early 2012.

Contact: Abbey Wright

Phone: (02) 4921 4477