Community
30 July, 2021
Getting back on their seat to recovery
A GENEROUS donor has helped make recovery from heart disease more comfortable.
Almost $35,000 was donated by the Northern Frontier Foundation to the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, to enable the purchase of 12 electric recliners for the cardiac ward at Cairns Hospital.
Cardiac Ward Nurse Unit Manager Mandi Pashley said she was grateful for the donation, as the recliners would make a big difference to cardiac patients and would be in almost constant use.
“We care for many heart failure patients who often struggle to lie flat in bed due to shortness of breath. Without a recliner they need to sleep on multiple pillows which is not always comfortable or practical,” Ms Pashley said.
“Our post cardiac surgery patients tend to find it more comfortable to sleep sitting upright, due to the sternal wound and as they can’t sleep on their side, a recliner is a great substitute for a bed. Having an electric recliner available will provide them a comfortable sleep which is so important to their recovery,” she said.
Northern Frontier Foundation General Manager Linda Ly said they were pleased to support the project as it would help improve the health and lifestyle of the local community.
“We believe these chairs will be most beneficial for the cardiac ward and patients,” Ms Ly said. “The Northern Frontier Foundation is dedicated to supporting the local community directly and in-directly where possible in improving health, education, environment and economic development,” she said.
Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation CEO Tony Williamson said the donation brings the NFF’s support of the Foundation to almost $155,000.
“We’re very grateful for the support of NFF and particularly its founder Dean Pradal, who has been very supportive of us for many years,” Mr Williamson said.
“Items like this are a great way the community can support the health service to help our patients be as comfortable as possible. The Foundation is about putting the icing on the cake and this contribution is a great example of that,” he said.
