A new service to benefit hundreds of women will be established at Nambour General Hospital, thanks to fundraising by Wishlist.
In a boost to women’s services across the region, Nambour General Hospital is set to open an Outpatient Hysteroscopy Service, which will reduce a women’s hospital stay from up to 14 hours, to just one or two.
The $136,280 service will allow women who require care for certain uterine issues to have a hysteroscopy procedure (which uses a small camera to look inside the uterus or womb), performed under local anaesthetic – in an outpatient setting.
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Senior Registrar Dr Adeline Foo applied to Wishlist to fund the service, with Sunshine Coast Health expected to start the service in the second half of 2024.
“Currently, patients have to be anaesthetised for a hysteroscopy in an operating theatre and stay in hospital for up to 14 hours to have the procedure and monitoring afterwards,” Dr Foo said.
“However, under this new model with new equipment, hysteroscopies can be performed in just one to two hours under local anaesthetic in an outpatient setting, allowing them to return home afterwards.
“This service will benefit at least 350 women per year, avoiding risks associated with general anaesthesia and reducing length of hospital stay so they can get back to their daily lives.”
Money for the new service was raised through Wishlist Giving Day help on March 27 which saw a total tally of $280,600 at the end of 12-hour appeal. Donations were matched by local businesses such as GVS Reliability Products, Protector Aluminium, Sunshine Toyota, Just Better Care and more.
Wishlist Partnerships and Fundraising Manager Lisa Wilson expressed her gratitude, stating: "We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our incredible community”.
“This astounding result exceeded our initial target of $265,000 and showcases the unwavering dedication of our supporters."
“From all the volunteer callers who hit the phones to rally donations, to our generous matchers the Meade family, Protector Aluminium, GVS Reliability Products, Sunshine Toyota, Billy J, Just Better Care and more… This $280,600 will go a long way in enhancing our local public health services for Sunshine Coast and Gympie families.”
State Minister for Health and Women, Shannon Fentiman, said this new service will start in the second half of 2024 and be a gamechanger for many Sunshine Coast women.
“Undergoing a hysteroscopy can be uncomfortable and cause anxiety for many women who need to undergo this procedure,” she said.
“This innovative service will significantly minimise the time women have to stay in hospital, reduce recovery time and lower the need for unnecessary surgery.”
