The Davidson Health Trust Fund continued its support of the Davidson Health Centre last month by giving over $18,000 to the Heartland Health Region for the purchase of needed capital equipment for the centre that will help both patients and health practitioners in their daily lives.

Glenys Smith, chairperson of the Davidson Health Trust Fund, said the not-for-profit fund is made up of local donations given to the committee over the years and is used for the comfort of the 40 residents at the long-term care facility.

“The fund buys the extra things that the health region does not (fully) fund,” said Smith, who has been on the committee since its formation in 2007. “We’ve bought things like curtains, just to make (the facility) more homey. We’ve bought some tables and chairs, a new TV and extra things that would make it more comfortable for them.”

The extra things the trust fund helped pay for in September were an Arjo Hydro-sonic Bathtub at a cost of $14,024, with Heartland Health Region covering the other 50 per cent of the $28,000 price tag for the tub, and a $4,488 WelchAllyn Vital Signs Monitor. This comes on the heels of the trust fund contributing $12,400 in July to pay for two Arjo Sara 3000 Sit Stand Lifts.

Cathy Hinther, care team manager for the Davidson Health Centre, said the help given by the Trust Fund is needed due to limited provincial funding provided to the centre for capital expenditures. She said the new machines are “state of the art” and much more advanced than what they were previously using giving the 70 professional and non-professional staff at the centre a better way.

“It updates the equipment, which enhances care and allows the staff to give safe care,” said Hinther. “With the policies around lifting as well, (sit-stand lifts) will allow staff not to lift patients.”

To read more please see the Oct. 8 print edition of The Davidson Leader.