2024-26 Annual Appeal
Great Ocean Road Health would like to make some well needed infrastructure improvements to both our facilities, to be able to provide greater care to our clients. We can’t do it alone— we need your help.
Due to budget constraints and the significant expansion of our services to support care close to home, we are asking for support from our wonderful community.
Donations of $2 or more are tax deductable and will help keep our health facilities current by funding facility repairs and maintenance, purchase new equipment, enhance our health service infrastructure, and ensure that our community has access to the care it needs.
Please consider making a donation today to help us sustain and improve the care we offer. Every dollar you donate makes a difference. Together, we can continue to provide high-quality health services right here in our community.
Infrastructure Projects and Improvements
Tracking and Hoist System in All Patient Rooms
With an aging population and an increase in great home care options, people moving into residential care, often require higher levels of care. This has resulted in an increase in the number of residents who require the use of a ceiling hoist.
To meet the increasing care needs of our Residents we are looking to add a tracking and hoist system in every patient room in our Aged Care facilities at Apollo Bay and Lorne. Ceiling and tracking systems can increase patient mobility as it is easier to manage and manoeuvre, requires less staff to assist and is generally more comfortable for the patient. We have found that ceiling hoists are better suited to repositioning and move aged care Residents more comfortably, reducing the risk of injuries when handling patients. Additionally, only one caregiver is needed to operate a ceiling hoist by themselves, increasing resident privacy and reducing the risk of staff injury. With the added option of using a motorised floor hoist for areas outside of overhead tracking, reduction of risk should be visible in reporting.
Current Great Ocean Road Health manual handling staff injury statistics indicate a need for a change of equipment with muscular stress from handling tasks coming in at 25% of overall incidents, second only to aggressive behaviour.
The cost of this project is approximately $10,000 per bedroom. Over two campuses, with the capacity for 18 residents this is a major capitol investment for both Apollo Bay and Lorne.
Apollo Bay Hospital Refurbishments
At Great Ocean Road Health, we strive for excellence in healthcare but with limited government resources we rely heavily on additional funding.
We rely on grants and community support for building repairs and upgrades.
Repairs needed at our Apollo Bay Campus:
- New Electrical Switchboard
- Window Repairs
- External Bricks and Mortor Repairs
Lorne Hospital Refurbishments
At Great Ocean Road Health, we strive for excellence in healthcare but with limited government resources we rely heavily on additional funding.
We rely on grants and community support for building repairs and upgrades.
Repairs needed at our Lorne Campus:
- New painting and carpet in our Residential Care and Hospital areas.
To view an overview of our painting project at Lorne Campus please click here. - Roof Repairs
Cardiac Monitor Apollo Bay Urgent Care
We have had an increase in the number of patients who have presented to our Apollo Bay Urgent Care with chest pains of varying degrees. There is an increasing need for a second cardiac monitor to safely care for multiple patients while still giving them privacy and comfort in our care. Purchasing a new cardiac monitor will ensure the best possible care is given to our community.
With the increasing number of chest pain & priority presentations, the purchase of a cardiac monitor will enable us to keep our resus room free for cat 1-2 presentations while still being able to cardiac monitor someone for the standard 4 hours post chest pain.
A new cardiac monitor that is compatible with our central monitor will cost approximately $16,000 plus GST.
Please help us raise the funds for this necessary medical equipment and help us continue to provide great care for our great community. Together we can make a difference.
Purchase a Brachial Index Machine for Lorne
A Brachial Index Diagnosis Machine works by testing blood pressure in patient’s arms and ankles, non-invasively, similar to an arm cuff for a blood pressure test. It us as a simple test that compares the blood pressure in the upper and lower limbs, dividing the blood pressure in an artery of the ankle by the blood pressure in an artery of the arm.
Having a Brachial Index Diagnosis Machine in Lorne would reduce the need for members of our community to travel to Colac or Geelong, and would speed the process of diagnosis up, by eliminating referrals to other health services for diagnostic testing.
An ankle-brachial index test might be useful for people who have leg pain while walking. The test also can be useful for people who have risk factors for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) a common condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the arms or legs, causing pain and restricted movement.
We are seeking $6,435 to purchase a Brachial Index Diagnosis Machine, to assist us improve health care closer to home.
Lorne Ground Floor Balcony Upgrade
To improve our main hospital and urgent care patient experiences we are looking to expand our ground floor balcony area and reconfigure the reception and administration areas.
Project goals:
- Increased seating capacity in waiting room
- Have a dedicated private triage section off reception suitable for all ability access
- Improve security, and account for outbreak management
- Increase administration work space for our medical staff
- Improve Aged Care and Acute patient rooms with balcony access to provide additional living space and natural light.
Views and connection to nature promoting good health. - Provision of gardening opportunities for long term aged care residents
