‘Wheely’ good donation

Patients will be transported around Latrobe Regional Health with more safety and comfort thanks to support from the Moe Lions Club.

A recent donation has assisted the hospital to purchase a bariatric wheelchair, to support larger patients.

“This is such a welcome addition to our fleet of wheelchairs,” Paul Mark, Nurse Unit Manager of the Nicholson Rehabilitation Unit said.

“Standard wheelchairs are actually quite small, so someone who is particularly tall or with a large frame will find this chair much more comfortable and we’ll be able to take them to physiotherapy or our hydrotherapy pool, safely and with a little more dignity,” Paul said.

Physiotherapy Manager at Latrobe Regional Health, Amanda Alton was similarly thankful for the Lions Club’s work.

“We can never get enough wheelchairs and a specialised one like this provides extra comfort and safety for people. Some of our physio patients have to go to the gym twice a day for their therapy and to be able to safely get them there is really important.

Moe Lions Club members recently visited LRH to see the new chair. President Ken Bechaz said while the club supports a range of community charities and causes, healthcare has always been a priority.

“LRH is important to us and the whole community. Before we supported LRH, we supported the Moe Hospital as well. No one wants to be in hospital or see a loved one in hospital but if we do need to become a patient, we’d all want the best possible equipment to be available,” Ken said.

For more information about donating to LRH please visit lrh.com.au