PARENTS and family members of young children will be able to remain by their side during overnight hospital visits following a generous donation from the Gambier City Lions Club.
A new fold-out bed donated to the pediatric unit at the Mount Gambier Hospital will give parents and guardians a more comfortable stay.
Maternity and pediatric ward nursing unit manager Fiona Jeffs said the bed donation meant a lot to the department.
“Children are never very happy in hospital unless their parents are with them and in order for us to treat them, we want them to be comfortable and not be frightened,” Ms Jeffs said.
“So having a bed for the parents to be able to sleep in allows them to stay overnight.”
Money to purchase the bed was raised by the Gambier City Lions Club and president Peter Mitchell said donating to the hospital was an easy decision.
“We do quite a bit of fundraising, whether it be Bunnings barbecues or catering for different events,” Mr Mitchell said.
“At the end of the day, it’s funds raised from the community and it’s our chance to give back to those people by identifying a need within the community.”
Acting director of nursing and midwifery Pam Schubert praised the Gambier City Lions Club for the ongoing support it provided to the Mount Gambier Hospital.
“Any investment from the community into a local service is greatly appreciated,” Ms Schubert said.
“It supports the care that we can provide to the community and helps us provide the important things that make the stay for our patients and parents more comfortable.”
The bed, which can also be used as a chair, will be used by nurses for other activities with younger patients, such as book reading.
