Photos: ADAM WRIGHT
DESPITE problems getting into Shoalhaven Hospital last week to deliver baby Charlotte, Scott and Brenda Morrison are gearing up to continue raising money for the hospital.
The Morrisons have raised approximately $50,000 over the past 10 years for the hospital by asking for donations from people visiting the amazing Christmas lights display at their North Nowra home.
This week, Mr Morrison will start setting up this year’s display, which is expected to be bigger and better than ever.
“We’ve got a lot of new pieces,” Mrs Morrison explained.
“We’ve gone a little bit silly this year, overspending on new lights.”
Mr Morrison is installing solar panels to power much of the display, cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
The couple is determined to continue raising money for the hospital despite being refused entry to the hospital when baby Charlotte was on the verge of being born on Tuesday night.
The Morrisons arrived at the hospital about 10.20pm on Tuesday with Mrs Morrison in the final stages of labour, yet a receptionist refused to open the door to allow them into the hospital because Mr Morrison had parked in an ambulance space.
He explained all available parking spaces near the door were taken, and he realised his wife needed urgent attention and help getting inside the hospital as the baby’s head was starting to appear.
It took about 10 minutes before the couple was finally allowed through the hospital’s doors, and baby Charlotte was delivered just minutes later.
Mrs Morrison said the incident did not dim the couple’s desire to help the hospital.
“We’re not going to let one incident put us off,” she explained.
“It happened, we’re dealing with it, and we’ve had a good outcome from it because we’ve got a beautiful baby girl.”
South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health is conducting an investigation into the way the Morrisons were treated.
Health service points finger at local managers
THE antique air compressor at the centre of last week’s problems at Shoalhaven Hospital was in the budget for replacement in 2007, according to South-Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health.
“Local management at Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital listed replacement of the compressor as a low priority for the 2007 budget”, said a health service spokesperson.
In addition, “it did not appear in the 2008 budget”, the spokesperson said.
“In 2009 it was listed as a high priority. The area health service responded to this request by providing funding for a new compressor,” the spokesperson said.
That new compressor has been ordered, and is expected to arrive from overseas in coming weeks.
In the meantime, a loan compressor was installed last week.
“Measures are in place to continue to ensure patients receive the safest and most appropriate care,” the spokesperson said.
While medical staff at the hospital claimed the compressor exploded on Sunday, November 8, blowing oil down the air lines and damaging equipment including ventilators, the health service spokesperson denied there was an explosion.
“The breakdown of the compressor does appear to have impacted on the hospital’s ventilators,” the spokesperson conceded.
The extent of damage is still being assessed.
The compressor had been supplying medical air, suction and ventilation throughout the hospital, and the breakdown forced operations to be cancelled while intensive care patients were transferred to other hospitals.
Meanwhile, Member for Gilmore Joanna Gash said the hospital’s antiquated equipment was the type of problem she wanted to show Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, had he met a commitment to visit the area.
“Problems with faulty equipment at our local hospital have highlighted issues that the community has continually raised with this government, like the serious lack of vital equipment, beds and staff,” Mrs Gash said.
“Here we are now looking at equipment that is half a century old and has failed on patients this week – a situation that is completely unacceptable, yet which this Labor government is happy to ignore.”
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