Being bed bound while recovering in hospital can be an uncomfortable and frustrating experience. Allowing patients the small luxury of a comfortable bed, can make the world of difference. Versa Care beds provide a safe and homey stay however; at $13,000 each, these beds are scarce.
Thanks to the generosity of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund, Wishlist was able to purchase three Hill-Rom Versa Care beds for the Extended Services Unit (ESU) at Gympie Hospital. One bed was purchased early 2014 and after seeing a significant improvement with patients, it was decided more were needed.
Gympie Hospital Acting Nurse Unit Manager Deanne Williams said these beds make maneuverability easier for nurses and provide a high management of patient care.
“They have a patient safety alarm for wandering patients; they allow nurses to weigh patients in the beds and decrease the manual handling for nurses,” Ms Williams said.
The beds will be used for acute stroke patients, rehabilitation patients, palliative patients and can be utilised across the hospitals for any patients that require them. Being able to tilt the bed a number of ways helps ease the pressure on the patient’s bodies that occurs when using a standard bed. This makes a significant difference to the comfort and safety of patients.
Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe said by being able to provide that extra comfort for the elderly patients or those compromised in their physical abilities is just another way of committing to improving local public health services.
“With an increased number of beds, patients will be able to be allocated an appropriate style of bed on admission according to their needs,” Ms Rowe said.
After a $35,000 donation from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund and monies from the Wishlist Coffee House, the beds were able to be purchased.
The Wishlist Coffee House raises funds for the needs of Gympie Hospital thanks to the team of dedicated volunteers who give up their time to ensure staff, patients and visitors have a variety of food and drinks all day. In order to keep helping the local community, more volunteers are needed.
All proceeds raised from the Wishlist Coffee House go towards the needs of the hospital through Wishlist.
If you or anyone you know are interested in volunteering, please contact Wishlist on 5470 6598 or sc-wishlist@health.qld.gov.au.
[caption id="attachment_412" align="alignleft" width="300"]
(L-R) Acting Nurse Unit Manager Deanne Williams, patient Jessie E Diver and Clinical Nurse Rebecca Sjodin using the new Versa Care beds. [/caption] 
