Saving on steriliser

News source: Noosa News
2 October 2007
By Grant Reynolds

NOT many people would happen to have a surgical steriliser lying around.

But Noosa Hospital did and they quickly found a worthy recipient.

Noosa Hopsital workplace health and safety co-ordinator Ian Pederson said after a staff member left to take up a position at the Wildlife Hospital, he browsed the Wildlife Warriors website and stumbled across a wish list of items the Wildlife Hospital needed, which included the steriliser.

"Their website said they're after donations of equipment. I called them and organised for them to come and get it," he said.

The steriliser is valued at about $80,000 and Mr Pederson said second hand equipment such as this is very rare.

"It's an expensive piece of equipment; they'll get great use out of it."

Mr Pederson said Noosa Hospital backed the idea all the way and applauded the work done by staff at the Wildlife Hospital.

"We hope to have an ongoing relationship (and) donate anything that's surplus to our needs. We donate excess equipment to third world countries but it's nice to donate to the (hospital) to help them get up and running. They do a fantastic job."

Of course, the Wildlife Hospital was only too happy to cross-off an item on its wish list.

Manager of the Wildlife Hospital Gail Gipp said the steriliser was needed but was something they could "only dream about."

"We're extremely excited. I raced around and told the nurses and vets. It's been needed for a while but was out of our budget," she said.

The new addition to the operating theatre will enable the Wildlife Hospital to sterilise larger instruments and more of them.

Until now staff have been struggling with a small desktop steriliser. Gail thanked Noosa Hospital for the donation.

The Wildlife Hospital treats about 5,500 animals a year, a figure that is expected to increase to more than 10,000 animals per year when the new hospital is completed.