Volunteers Hailed For Medi-Cab Gift

February 5, 2016

A new medi-cab has just gone into action at Kingaroy Hospital thanks to a generous donation from the hospital’s Auxiliary.

The motorised patient-transfer trolley will be used to transfer patients from the Emergency Department to the helipad where rescue helicopters land to transport patients to other hospitals.

Kingaroy Hospital Auxiliary vice-president and a canteen volunteer Sandra Beetham said the donation, totalling almost $23,000, had come from profits generated from running the hospital canteen over the past 12 months.

“Up until now, patients had been transported between the hospital and helipad on a conventional bed trolley and have been subjected to the elements –sun, wind and rain,” she said.

“Now, patients can be transported in comfort as the medi-cab has a roof and weatherproof side flaps, and it’s also very quiet when operated.

“It can also be used to transport medical equipment from the helicopter down to the hospital.”

Director of Nursing Mr Mark White welcomed the Auxiliary’s donation which funded the electric medi-cab.

“The medi-cab was custom-built as it needed to be low enough to be driven through the Kingaroy Hospital ambulance entrance into the emergency department corridor,” he said.

“(It) also had to be small enough to traverse the concrete path to the helipad and, most importantly, it needed to fit safely beneath all helicopters visiting the hospital and allow easy patient transfer into the helicopter.

“With around 300 helicopter retrievals a year, it certainly is a valuable asset that will improve patient comfort and safety.

“On behalf of our staff and patients, I’d like to thank the Auxiliary for their work to raise the substantial funds needed to commission construction of the medi-cab.”

Auxiliary Treasurer Alison Murray said about 15 volunteers ran the canteen on weekdays between 9:00am and 2:00pm.

“The canteen is open to hospital patients, staff and the general public,” she said.

“David Morton, our Canteen Convenor, is always happy to hear from anyone wishing to assist in the canteen or those wishing to phone through their orders on (07) 4162-9199.”