Helping out the smallest and most unwell patients

With some of the equipment funded by the Nick’s Head Charity 2023 fishing competition, including a resuscitaire machine and respiratory machines, are, from left, associate clinical nurse manager, neonatal unit Lianne Hollis, Young Nick’s Charity chair and Gisborne-Tatapouri Fishing-Club manager Dean Quinn, and clinical nurse manager Whetu Ao Rāwhiti Planet Sunshine Deb McKay. Picture supplied

Fishing tournament proceeds go to vital equipment for Planet Sunshine, neonates

The local fishing community is backing Gisborne Hospital again.

The annual Nicks Head Charity Fishing Tournament continues to support the hospital’s neonatal unit and Whetu Ao Rāwhiti Planet Sunshine children’s ward with equipment and vouchers purchased after this year’s competition.

“All proceeds from the competition fee, donated items from our sponsors and fish auctions go towards supporting sick tamariki in Tairāwhiti,” says Dean Quinn, chairman of Nick’s Head Charity and Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing  Club manager.

“It includes essential equipment needed at the hospital and vouchers for whānau staying on site or needing to travel out of the region for treatment.”

Nick’s Head Charity secretary Lauren Ormiston said: “In the past we’ve raised funds for playgrounds, iPads for patients and La-Z -Boy chairs for parents in Whetu Ao Rāwhiti Planet Sunshine.

“All proceeds stay local for tamariki and their whānau.”

Health NZ Tairāwhiti associate clinical nurse manager (neonatal unit) Liane Hollis said they were incredibly thankful for the generous efforts of all involved.

“We thank you wholeheartedly on behalf of the māmā and pēpi in Tairāwhiti.”

The resuscitaire machine, purchased as a result of the fundraising tournament, is an important piece of equipment for the neonatal unit.

“It is the platform used for our most critical work in the neonatal unit.

“We’re able to provide lifesaving heat and oxygen while monitoring the baby’s vital signs using the functions built into the resuscitaire.

“While the infant is using this, we’re able to intubate them and place them on our ventilator to assist their breathing.

“It allows us to do invasive procedures like inserting umbilical lines that provide important nutrition and medications via the  umbilical cord or inserting chest drains to help relieve pressure from around the lungs due to air leaks caused by prematurity,” said Ms Ormiston.

The mobile resuscitaire also allows the team in neonatal to provide urgent newborn resuscitation wherever the mother delivers in hospital, be it in the maternity unit, the caesarean operating theatre, or the emergency department.

“We can then safely transport the stabilised newborn back to the neonatal unit for further care.”

Whetu Ao Rāwhiti Planet Sunshine clinical nurse manager Deb McKay said the team were enormously grateful for the ongoing support of Nick’s Head Charity.

They also received the latest Airvo respiratory machines that moisten and warm air and oxygen for children with severe breathing problems, portable monitors used in the ward and by the paediatric outreach nurses when doing home visits, and vouchers for whānau in need.

“The equiment has helped change the way we work and it has improved health outcomes for our tamariki,” she said.