Game-changing equipment for hospital's midwifery department

The Mansfield District Hospital's midwifery department recently received a significant boost with the installation of a new Obstetric Foetal Monitoring Machine, generously funded by the Harry and Clare Friday Foundation. This state-of-the-art equipment is set to revolutionise maternal and infant care in the region, offering enhanced safety, improved outcomes, and crucial connectivity with larger health services. The acquisition of this vital machine comes at a critical time for the hospital. Michelle Spence, the new CEO at Mansfield District Hospital, highlighted the challenges faced by smaller regional hospitals. "Our old piece of equipment was coming to its end-of-life, and things like servicing were becoming an issue," Ms Spence said. "As we've got a limited budget, finding $55,000 to upgrade the equipment represented a challenge." One of the most impactful features of the new monitor is its ability to connect with larger hospitals like Goulburn Valley Health or North East Health Wangaratta. This connectivity is a game-changer for regional care. "If a midwife is here in the middle of the night, and has a mother coming in, she wants to monitor the mother and check on the baby, this equipment will link us in with doctors and specialists at the other facilities," said Ms Spence. "They can ring through, request another opinion and that hospital has direct access to the cardiotocograph (CTG).” Used to monitor a baby's heart rate and the mother's uterine contractions during pregnancy and labour, the machine helps assess the baby's well-being by tracking changes in heart rate and contractions, providing valuable information to healthcare professionals. “With the installation of the new equipment we're now able to get real-time review, care and reassurance.” The new machine's arrival is also particularly timely as Mansfield District Hospital has become the sole birthing facility between Box Hill and Wangaratta, following the temporary reduction in birthing ability at Benalla Health due to staffing issues. "We're growing in our birth numbers, which is fantastic," Ms Spence said. In the last financial year alone, MDH birthed 58 babies, 11 more than the previous year. And with 29 women booked to birth at the hospital in the coming months all the way through to November, the service continues to be well-utilised with a wide catchment. The catchment for women choosing to birth at Mansfield Hospital includes Buxton, Eildon, Alexandra, Kevington, Merrijig, Mansfield and Swanpool with around 20 per cent of births coming from the Murrindindi Shire. "It's all about keeping it closer to home," said Ms Spence. “It's making sure mothers don't have to move away for the care that we can provide here." Janice Rodger, Maternity Manager at Mansfield District Hospital, emphasised the equipment's versatility. "It actually enables us to do antenatal and through-pregnancy monitoring," Ms Rodger said. She highlighted the new wireless component of the machine. "The wireless capacity enables women to be active in labour and not tethered to the machine as such," she said. “This feature allows for greater comfort and mobility for expectant mothers during labour, a significant improvement over the hospital's previous equipment.” The Harry and Clare Friday Foundation (HCFF), established in 2007, is a charitable trust dedicated to the growth and future development of health services in the Mansfield district. Christine Friday, representing the foundation, explained the motivation behind the bequest. "On his passing my father wanted to leave something for the community, and we decided that the Mansfield District Hospital was probably the one that would benefit the most people in the district," Ms Friday said. The foundation aims to be a catalyst for projects that meet community demand and ensure the long-term viability of healthcare in Mansfield. Ms Spence expressed immense gratitude for the foundation's support. "We can't do it without donations and the backing of our community. “There is no doubt about it," she said, explaining that the hospital's budget has no room for new equipment. "Having the support of the Friday Foundation is extraordinary.” The new Obstetric Foetal Monitoring Machine not only improves patient outcomes and safety but also strengthens the hospital's reputation and its ability to advocate for its growing services and the viability of keeping maternity in Mansfield within the broader health network. This invaluable contribution from the Harry and Clare Friday Foundation ensures that expectant mothers in the Mansfield district can receive high-quality, connected care closer to home, fostering better health outcomes for families in the community.

Game-changing equipment for hospital's midwifery department

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