Scales were also built in for weighing a patient in bed, allowing staff to quickly determine appropriate medication doses without having to get the patient out of bed and on to scales, as well as an adjustment to lower patients closer to the ground allowing them to stand easier. The beds also enabled staff to turn patients easily, a digital display revealing the degrees of head angle to help with patient positioning and there was an extension for taller patients.
The beds also had foot controls and easy-grip siderails.
Director of nursing Sandy Blake said the hospital had funding to buy three new beds, but were appealing for donations to provide another for old and frail patients not in the Acute Stroke Unit.
"We would be buying a couple of these, but how fantastic would it be to have a few more of them for the other frail people?" Mrs Blake said.
"A lot of service organisations actually do fundraise for their local hospital. We've had lots of things like TVs and equipment for the children's ward."
Mrs Blake said the hospital was calling for anyone who might like to donate.
"If people would like to donate to the hospital, that's where we would channel it next.
"I really want our stroke unit to be the best. I want Wanganui to be the best."
She said whether or not donations came in, stroke patients would not miss out on the beds.
"Wouldn't it be great to offer it to more people?"
Mrs Van Elswijk hoped that knowing how beneficial the beds were for patients, local service groups and individuals throughout the district might consider donating to help the Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation Ward buy another bed.
Anyone interested in helping raise funds or wanting more information can call Mrs Van Elswijk on 06 348 3105 extension 8105.
