Gympie Hospital will soon be home to a new stroke service, thanks to the Gympie community converging for an afternoon of jazz and wine.

The Wishlist Jazz and Wine Festival held on Saturday, August 5, raised a total of $33,723 which has been directed to the purchase of a neuro-perfusion package for the recently-installed CT Scanner at Gympie Hospital.

The equipment, valued at $33,000, will allow acute stroke patients to access new treatment without having to travel to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) in Birtinya.

“This equipment will also link the emergency team at Gympie Hospital directly with the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital to enhance patient outcomes,” Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe said.

Ms Rowe said more than 200 people attended the charity festival at Gunabul Homestead.

“The second-annual Wishlist Jazz and Wine Festival was a fantastic event highlighting community spirit and of course, wonderful music and wine.

“We are so pleased to be able to make this purchase to enhance stroke services for the Gympie and Cooloola region, and we are extremely thankful for a last-minute donation from Jobmatch Employment for getting us across the line.

“I’d also like to thank the Schuh Group, among our other amazing sponsors and donors, who ensured this event happened in Gympie.”

Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service stroke specialist Dr Rohan Grimley said the addition of a neuro-perfusion package would improve access to newer treatments for local acute stroke patients.

“It would mean that the ambulance would not have to bypass Gympie Hospital to go to SCUH, and treatment would be initiated much earlier,” Dr Grimley said.

“Specialised treatments to unblock arteries in stroke patients can make a major difference to outcomes, but must be given within 4.5 hours for thrombolysis (clot-busting medication) or six hours for clot retrieval to be effective” Dr Grimley added.

“Treatment is time-dependent so enhancing this service at Gympie will no doubt benefit Gympie-based patients in the future.”