Council pledge donation toward vital heart monitoring equipment
Taupō Hospital is one step closer to the purchase of critical heart monitoring equipment after Taupō District Council agreed to make a donation toward the cause.
The decision was made to donate $30,000 toward an echo cardiogram heart scanner for the hospital at today’s council meeting following an impassioned plea from the Taupō Health and Hospital Society. The society has already fundraised $253,000 toward the purchase of the equipment, which is expected to cost $350,000.
Chief executive Gareth Green said the decision was made to donate money from interest accumulated in the council’s TEL fund so would not impact the ratepayers.
“This is the kind of project the TEL fund was set up to support so it’s great we’re able to contribute to the society, the hospital and the community in a meaningful way,” Mr Green said.
An echo cardiogram gave patients quick assessments for cardiac size, structure, function and blood flow. It was used on people of all ages for everything from chest pain to abnormal heart rhythms, stroke, palpitations, murmur and heart defects. It was also sometimes required prior to surgery and for those having chemotherapy.
At the moment, patients requiring the use of an echo cardiogram had to travel to Rotorua Hospital for the procedure, costing time and money. The equipment would benefit many in the Taupō District and it was great the council was able to support the community in this way, Mr Green said.
“The council’s donation will mean the hospital gets the equipment sooner and support a collaborative community fundraising effort,” he said.
The Taupō Hospital and Health Society was formed to assist with the continuation and development of health care services for all people within the Taupō District and has been fundraising for the equipment since its AGM in September last year. It said the need for an echo cardiogram from Taupō and Turangi patients had increased by 35 per cent in the past five years and there was a waiting list for its use in Rotorua.