A charitable donation by staff at one Sunshine Coast company has made it possible for doctors at Nambour Hospital’s Emergency Department to introduce a specialized new service with the help of a new piece of equipment.

Go Transit Media Group have donated $7,000 via Workplace Giving towards the Vestibular Pathway Implementation program that will be led by specialist physiotherapist Ingrid Rosbergen.

“Vestibular disorders refer to issues such as vertigo and other inner-ear balance disorders, and a high percentage of people present to Emergency every year with symptoms such as dizziness,” Mrs Rosbergen said.

“Due to a lack of proper equipment to make a diagnosis, many of these patients go on to be admitted to hospital despite the fact that most patients with vestibular disorders can be properly managed as outpatients,” she said.

The donations made through Workplace Giving at Go Transit Media in Maroochydore made it possible for a VF 405 video Frenzel to be purchased – a machine that provides detailed video imaging of eye movements during vestibular testing.

“This will provide medical staff with the ability to replay images of eye movements, which enables diagnoses without having the patient undergo an unpleasant process and repeated testing, and allow them to make a more definite diagnosis,” Mrs Rosbergen said.

“It will also allow us to have a clear pathway for management of vestibular patients and decrease the length of stay of some patients and reduce admission rates,” she said.

Erika Cook from Go Transit Media Group said it was hugely satisfying to know that small weekly donations could support such a desperately needed piece of equipment.

“Go Transit Media is really proud to have chosen Wishlist as the beneficiary of our workplace giving scheme, and to be able to see that evolve in to something that’s going to genuinely impact patient health in such a positive way is a big thrill for our whole team,” Ms Cook said.

Wishlist CEO Lisa Rowe said Workplace Giving is an easy way for employees to reduce their tax bill and support a health service they each rely on, with minimal effort on the donor’s part. Research into employee job satisfaction suggests businesses committed to Workplace Giving initiatives benefit from great staff engagement, employee retention and productivity.

“By giving a few dollars a week over the past year the team at Go Transit has done something pretty special for local families,” Ms Rowe said.

“We are grateful for every cent and believe the employees and the employer should be commended for taking part in a win-win initiative like Workplace Giving”.