Our Kids - November 2008

Taking Care of Our Kids

Our Kids, more formally known as the Northern Rivers Children’s Health Fund, was founded in 2001. Our Kids is the fundraising arm of the North Coast Area Health Service and aims to improve the health services for children in the Northern Rivers region by raising awareness and vital funds to purchase lifesaving medical equipment for the paediatric wards at Lismore Base Hospital (i.e. Children’s Ward, Special Care Nursery and Accident and Emergency). 

Our Kids is based at Lismore Base Hospital which sees over 10,000 children annually. To date, Our Kids has purchased over $500,000 worth of equipment which has resulted in more children and babies receiving medical care locally. Without this vital equipment, children from the Northern Rivers region who require medical care are transferred to hospitals/health facilities interstate. 

Funds were sought to purchase two pieces of vital medical equipment for Lismore Base Hospital: 

1. Humidicrib for the Special Care Nursery (SCN). The SCN sees over 1/3 of the babies in the Northern Rivers region and due to an increase in the number of babies born per year, another crib is required. Without this equipment, babies are transferred to Brisbane for medical care, putting unnecessary stress on the families of these babies.

2. Hausted Video Imaging Chair. This piece of equipment is designed to aid radiologists in caring for children with feeding, airway and oesophagus problems. The chair ensures the child is kept still and in an upright position, making it easier for radiologists to take images of the airway/oesophagus. At present, there is no such equipment available at Lismore Base Hospital.

Both pieces of equipment will improve the health services for children at Lismore Base Hospital and will enable children to be treated locally.