PATIENT comfort has increased at Millicent and District Hospital thanks to two room refurbishments funded by a $52,000 donation from the Millicent branch of the Country Women’s Association.
A bathroom for patients with disabilities has been created while work will start on a room for families.
After serving the community well since 1935, the seven remaining CWA members decided unanimously to fund improvements to the local hospital.
The club’s coffers had been boosted around a decade ago when its Williams Road clubrooms were sold to the Millicent Community Church.
Millicent CWA president Moira Doecke said the hospital was held in high regard by members.
“We all need the Millicent Hospital and we will all end up here one day,” Ms Doecke said.
“Our parents were here and we gave birth to our kids here.”
She said the CWA hall had been built in 1965 on land donated by the Holzgrefe family and all funds had come from local sources.
According to the CWA constitution, if the Millicent CWA was to close down its remaining funds would be transferred to the CWA headquarters in Adelaide.
Ms Doecke said members were keen to see the remaining funds spent in Millicent.
“The money was raised here and it should be spent here,” Ms Doecke said.
The handover was marked at a ceremony at the hospital’s Dr David Harris Wing on Friday which was attended by CWA members, senior hospital staff and the Millicent Health Advisory Council.
Branch secretary Joan Morgan said long-time member Barbara McCourt had to submit an apology for the special occasion.
“Barbara has served the Millicent CWA for many years and held every office,” she said.
CWA member Rosie Schutt said she was glad the commemorative plaque contained a reference to the Dr David Harris Wing as he was a long-serving GP in Millicent from 1954 until his death in 1996.
“When my family emigrated to Australia in the 1950s, Dr Harris was our doctor,” Ms Schutt said.
“I was the only one in the family who could speak English and so I had to interpret for my sister when she was treated by Dr Harris.”
The CWA donation was acknowledged by Millicent Health Advisory Council presiding member Brenton Dohnt.
Millicent Hospital executive officer and nursing director Michelle de Wit said the upgraded bathroom would be appreciated by patients with disabilities, those undergoing rehabilitation and all other patients.
“It will provide them with greater independence,” Ms de Wit said.
“The design of the upgraded bathroom will assist nurses and cleaning staff.
“It has not been used as a bathroom for around 10 years and has just been a storeroom.”
Ms de Wit said the second room to be upgraded via the Millicent CWA donation would create a relaxing room for families visiting patients.
She said other areas of the hospital had also been improved so far in 2020.
“Room nine is our high-care room for patients with cardiac problems and other serious conditions.
“It has new data points, blinds and shelving.
“New carpet and LED lights have been installed in a number of areas.”
