Newborn babies will have extra support at St George Hospital, thanks to a community donation.
The hospital received a $30,000 Centenary Grant from the Commonwealth Bank’s Westfield Hurstville and Kogarah branches.
Money will go towards life-saving equipment in the Special Care Nursery and children’s ward – two overhead phototherapy lights that will treat month-old or younger newborns with jaundice caused by liver issues.
St George Hospital nurse unit manager Laura Finn says the additional equipment will help many new babies.
“Jaundice is very common among babies on our ward, so the new equipment will make a significant impact to newborns, their parents and our staff,” she said.
“Jaundice occurs in up to 85 per cent of newborn babies. Their livers are not developed enough to keep up with their job of breaking down red blood cells. This results in a bilirubin overload, which leads to jaundice. Most babies can excrete the bilirubin, however others require phototherapy treatment.
“New evidence suggests double photography lights are a very effective way to treat jaundice during initial treatment, and these new overhead lights will enable our dedicated staff to provide this best practice quality of care.”
Both bank branches and its employees nominated the hospital to receive the much-needed equipment.
The hospital is one of the 1000 organisations across the country to receive the grant this year.
“We’re thrilled to be able to support organisations like St George Hospital in the important work they do for our community,” Commonwealth Bank Westfield Hurstville branch manager Kelly Costa said.
