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Lupe Paea

May 25, 2023
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Ipswich Hospital Foundation fund three research projects shaping the future of cancer care

By | Fundraising, Health, Recent

West Moreton Health staff are shaping the future of cancer care in the region through Ipswich Hospital Foundation’s (IHF) Regina and Vicki Doig Research Scholarship funding.

Three projects have been funded which will explore care options for residents with blood disorders, develop strategies to improve cervical cancer screening, and access to chemotherapy for rural consumers.

Each year, almost 1,500 local residents are diagnosed with cancer and a further 500 die from the disease.

Funding through the Regina and Vicki Doig Research Scholarship for Cancer Care has been provided in partnership with local supporter Vicki Doig, West Moreton Health, and Ipswich Hospital Foundation.

Ipswich Hospital Foundation Chief Executive Officer Scott Young thanked all of the researchers who applied for the scholarship, as well as the selection panel for their time and expertise in reviewing the applications.

“Crucially, we would like to thank Vicki Doig for her research support,” Mr Young said.

The scholarship was named in honour of Vicki’s sister Regina, who tragically died of lymphoma in 1987 aged 39.

Vicki set up the fund in her sister’s memory to advocate for evidence-based advancements in cancer care in West Moreton.

Ms Doig said research had rapidly improved cancer treatment in the decades since Regina died, and she looked forward to seeing the outcomes of the research ahead.

West Moreton Health Chief Executive Officer Hannah Bloch said the scholarship was an example of the work being done at a local level to improve the health and wellbeing of the community.

“We have a strong research and innovation agenda at West Moreton Health and this research will highlight how we can improve our cancer services,” she said.

“The three successful applicants will work with our Research and Innovation team to develop their projects and provide the evidence needed to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of cancer care in our region.”

Research projects

  • Oncology Nurse Unit Manager Cherry Spross is investigating the needs of rural patients who use the Ipswich Hospital oncology service to consider providing chemotherapy or supportive care services closer to home at Boonah, Esk, Laidley, and Gatton hospitals.
  • Acting Cancer Care Co-ordinator Mark Rothery is investigating whether some lower risk haematology services could be provided at Ipswich Hospital. This would reduce the need for travel outside the region for patients who currently travel to tertiary hospitals, including Princess Alexandra Hospital, for care.
  • A team of Obstetrics and Gynaecology trainees led by Senior Staff Specialist Dr Lilantha Wedisinghe will conduct a cervical cancer screening survey in the West Moreton region to develop strategies that will improve participation in cervical screening.

Find out more about the Regina and Vicki Doig Research Scholarship for Cancer Care, or to donate to Ipswich Hospital Foundation visit: https://www.ihfoundation.org.au/reginadoigfund/

March 20, 2023
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Gardens at Gatton Hospital have sprung back to life thanks to the Australian Industry Trade College

By | Fundraising, Recent

The gardens at Gatton Hospital have sprung back to life thanks to a working bee co-ordinated between the Ipswich Hospital Foundation (IHF) and the Australian Industry Trade College.

Thirty college students and staff spent two days clearing and replanting the hospital courtyard, staff garden and circular driveway.

The exercise taught the students practical gardening and leadership skills – and led to them getting some unexpected life advice.

While she had a willing audience, Director of Nursing Deb Woods planted seeds on healthy habits around sleep and nutrition and dished the dirt on vaping, drug-taking and consumption of energy drinks.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan welcomed the initiative by IHF and their partners and said it was a great demonstration of the commitment by the Foundation to support the rural hospitals within their district.

“Our local hospitals may not be as large as the Ipswich Hospital, but they are every bit as important to our community and it’s encouraging to see IHF understands the positive difference their support can make to us.

“In the past, our local hospital auxiliaries have had to fundraise for basic items and while that’s commendable of them, we welcome initiatives like today’s that give a real boost to our hard-working rural hospitals.

IHF Chief Executive Scott Young said community partnership projects were a key part of the Foundation’s vision.

“Projects like this one bring benefits to the community, the hospital and all those who take part,” Mr Young said.

“This project has been supported by Bunnings Plainland and Pohlmans Nursery, the Australian Industry Trade College, Southern Cross Transport, Gatton Hospital and Lockyer Valley Regional Council.

“But the real heroes of today’s story are the students who gave their time and energy to restore the gardens of this wonderful hospital.”

To learn more about the IHF, please visit https://give.ihfoundation.org.au/ .

March 8, 2023
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Hospital Foundation helps secure items for rural hospitals

By | Fundraising, Health, Projects, Recent

The Ipswich Hospital Foundation (IHF) has secured $30,000 worth of equipment for West Moreton Health hospitals at Gatton, Laidley and Esk.

IHF Chief Executive Officer Scott Young said visitor chairs, sofas and televisions were among the items requested by the rural directors of nursing when grant applications were compiled, along with a pressure care chair for Laidley Hospital.

“We are over the moon to be supplying the rural hospitals and their communities with this equipment,” Mr Young said.

“These items will go a long way towards improving the experience of patients and their loved ones when they visit our facilities.”

Mr Young said the IHF was also co-ordinating the revitalisation of three gardens at Gatton Hospital next week by 30 Year 10 students who are studying at the Australian Industry Trade College. Bunnings Plainland has kindly donated the mulch, plants and equipment.

Work on a reflection garden at Laidley Hospital is due to commence in July.

Director of Nursing at Gatton Hospital, Deb Woods, said she was very grateful for the work of the IHF, the generosity of Bunnings and the kindness of students and staff at the Australian Industry Trade College.

“We look forward to offering patients and their loved ones a more comfortable stay with us as well as some beautiful new gardens that all the community can enjoy,” Ms Woods said.

Mr Young said the IHF had submitted a further $332,000 worth of grant applications, which, if successful, would benefit all five West Moreton Health hospitals as well as its research and innovation program.

“Despite our charity’s legacy name, we represent all of the hospitals in the West Moreton region in our funding applications, our fundraising activities and through the work of our generous community volunteers,” Mr Young said.

The IHF has aligned its strategic direction with that of West Moreton Health to concentrate on enabling targeted, evidence-based initiatives that would benefit the health service and community.

For more information on the IHF’s fundraising efforts, visit their website.

March 7, 2023
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Morning tea raises $4000 for local cancer care research

By | Fundraising, Recent

Cancer care research in West Moreton has been bolstered by $4000 raised at a sell-out morning tea on Saturday.

More than 160 people attended the third annual Regina and Vicki Doig Morning Tea organised by the Ipswich Hospital Foundation (IHF).

Proceeds will benefit the new Regina and Vicki Doig Research Scholarship for Cancer Care, administered by the IHF in collaboration with the West Moreton Health Research and Innovation department.

Ipswich resident and scholarship benefactor Vicky Doig said the success of the morning tea gave her confidence in the future of local cancer care research.

Ms Doig established the scholarship in honour of her sister Regina, who died of lymphoma in 1987, aged 39.

Clinicians from West Moreton Health hospitals in Ipswich, Boonah, Esk, Gatton and Laidley who wish to make a tangible difference to cancer care through research are eligible to apply.

“All I want is for the research to make a real difference for the people of West Moreton and a legacy for Regina,” Ms Doig said.

Senior research development officers Dr Emma Finch and Dr Michelle Delaney told the guests assembled at Brothers Leagues Club how the scholarship would be administered by the health service’s Research and Innovation department under the leadership of Christopher Hicks.

IHF Chief Executive Officer Scott Young said the Foundation was fortunate to have the experience of the Research and Innovation team supporting the scholarship.

West Moreton Hospital and Health Board Chair Michael Willis thanked Ms Doig and Mr Young for making the scholarship available to clinicians.

“This scholarship will greatly improve clinical care for cancer patients in our region and enhance the reputation of our health service as one that excels through evidence-led innovation,’’ Mr Willis said.

To learn more about the IHF or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit https://give.ihfoundation.org.au/ .

February 28, 2023
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IMA

Special Care Nursery to benefit from IMA donation

By | Fundraising, Recent

Ipswich Malayali Association (IMA) has donated $1,000 to the Ipswich Hospital Foundation (IHF) to support the Children’s Christmas Appeal.

The donation was organised by Tee Varghese, Nurse Manager, Clinical Information at West Moreton Health (WMH), and a member of IMA.

Each year IMA, which was established in 2013 representing the Malayalam language-speaking people in the area, conducts Christmas carols and home visits around the festive season. Its traditional practice for members is to make a small donation that can be later handed over to an eligible charity.

Of the 12 members on the committee, 11 are WMH employees. They are representative of several different departments including Clinical Informatics, Digital Health, ICU, Ward AMU, Ward 4F, IPH Relief Pool, Ward 7B and IPH ED.

“We were able to successfully conduct Christmas carols and home visits in December 2022 after a hiatus of about three years, due to the pandemic,” Tee said.

“This year, the committee members voted to donate the money to IHF that would then benefit Ipswich Hospital services.”

WMH CEO Hannah Bloch added, “This is a great example of our passionate employees doing wonderful work in the community and a donation to IHF”.

“Ultimately, this allows IHF to purchase more equipment for the special care nursery, the beneficiary of the Children’s Christmas Appeal,” Hannah explained.

Scott Young, CEO of IHF added, “Tee is a wonderful ambassador for both IHF and WMH, and our Foundation is very fortunate to have received incredible support from employees of WMH and their association with community groups within Ipswich”.

To learn more about the IHF or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit https://give.ihfoundation.org.au/ .