Generous donation helps elective surgery increase

L-R: Allison Evans, Executive General Manager Epworth Richmond, Mr PS Lee and Warwick Brown, Chair Epworth Golf Committee.

A $360,000 donation will help fund new equipment as Epworth Richmond faces an increase in elective surgery procedures.

Melbourne businessman and owner of Footscray Market, Mr P S Lee has made the generous donation to buy four Sonosite portable ultrasound machines.

Two of the machines will be used in operating theatres, where there has been an increase in elective surgery this year. The remaining two machines will be used in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit at Epworth Richmond.

The hospital’s 28 operating theatres and three cardiac catheterisation labs have seen a 34 percent increase in procedures in the first three months of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.

Almost 70 percent of all elective surgery procedures across Australia are performed in private hospitals.

Allison Evans, Executive General Manager, Epworth Richmond, said the four new portable ultrasound machines provide real time images and observations of structures such as veins, nerves, arteries and organs.

“The ultrasound machines are invaluable. They will be used across an array of specialities including anaesthetic procedures, diagnostic purposes and insertion of patient monitoring devices”.

Ms Evans said the purchase of the four ultrasound machines wouldn’t have been possible without Mr Lee.

“Mr Lee is extraordinary in his support of Epworth. He is one of our biggest donors, making a difference to the lives of our patients at Epworth Richmond.”

“Operating theatres at this hospital are at capacity and the donation of the ultrasound equipment couldn’t come at a better time.”

Mr Lee said he’s forged a close relationship with the hospital over more than 20 years.

“We have a long term, deep connection with the hospital and the staff,” Mr Lee said.

“It is wonderful to know that our support means we are making a difference to the care given to patients.”