Chairman of the Broadway to Barbados Charitable Trust, Robert Bourque (right) receives a cheque (from left) Massy Foundation Director David Neilands, Massy Foundation Chairman Everton Browne and Public Relations Manager Jennifer Branch.
AN $86 000 portable piece of equipment is expected to significantly relieve some of the pressure in the Accident and Emergency Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, by allowing medical officials to service the needs of patients more expeditiously.
The sourcing of a GE Healthcare Venue 50 Anesthesia Ultrasound, which is in-transit to Barbados, is an initiative of the Massy Foundation (Barbados) through a partnership with the Broadway to Barbados Charitable Trust.
This was announced on Monday during a press conference as principals of both organisations unveiled the plans 2016-2017, which also include support for professional training and the provision of supply packs, which represent a total commitment of $116 900.
Chairman of Massy Foundation Everton Brown noted that the ultrasound machine can be used for a myriad of medical challenges, including heart and vascular assessments, abdominal conditions, lung tests, ectopic pregnancies as well as simple procedures where ultrasound guidance can result in less complications. He said above all, it is safe for imaging at bed-side.
The second initiative is the online training for approximately 40 A&E nurses through the Emergency Nurses Association in the United States, to the tune of $10 900 for one year. Browne acknowledged that there is a scarcity of specialised courses that can be accessed locally for emergency care nurses, and those available do not cover the variety of cases that present in the average emergency department.
The Chairman also revealed that the foundation has committed $20 000 for the purchase of medical supply packs. “We know that a one-off commitment would only go so far in alleviating this situation, and as such, we look forward to working with the Broadway to Barbados Charitable Trust in fuelling greater support for this initiative.”
Chairman of the Broadway to Barbados Charitable Trust Robert Bourque thanked Browne and his team for joining with his organisation, which will be celebrating its fifth anniversary during the 2016-2017 financial year.
Bourque noted that his organisation, which sources the equipment, works closely with the Heads of Departments to determine what are the specific needs, not just for patients but also for the medical officials. He pointed to the work carried out on the Medical Intensive Care Unit which is now an ultramodern department, and assured further assist-ance for the A&E, which he pointed out has several needs.
He revealed that when the Charitable Trust started up five years ago, there was an objective of reaching $2.5 million. “With our commitments to date, our cash on hand and promises for future commitments we have reached over two million.”
He believes that the 2017 show, which is generally a sold out affair, will allow the Trust to reach its goal. He stressed however that does not mean the work by the Trust will come to an end.
(JH)
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