New equipment to help Canberra’s premature babies


Released 22/09/2018

The Centenary Hospital for Women and Children has received four new clinical monitors that can detect changes in blood oxygen levels in premature babies, thanks to an $82,000 donation from the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation.

Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris today thanked Peter Cursley, Chair of the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation (NICF) on behalf of ACT Health, for the generous donation to purchase the four new Sentec Digital Monitoring systems.

“The highly accurate and non-invasive monitors provide real-time information and can detect sudden changes in the blood oxygen levels which can cause serious complications in premature babies.” Minister Fitzharris said.

“This innovative medical equipment minimises the need for fragile newborns to undergo blood tests and enables continuous monitoring so immediate action can be taken should any changes in bleeding occur.

“Valuable donations like this enable our medical practitioners to deliver high quality care that benefits babies and their families in the neonatal unit at Centenary Hospital.

“Previous support by the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation has contributed towards the purchase of medical equipment, which continues to improve clinical care for our smallest patients at Centenary Hospital, as well as research projects that focus on staff education and family support.

“We have such a strong community bond here in Canberra and I look forward to the continuing relationship between ACT Health, the Canberra Hospital Foundation and the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation, so we can continue to help families from Canberra and the surrounding region,” Minister Fitzharris said.

- Statement ends -

Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases

Media Contacts

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Claire Johnston

(02) 6205 0022

0452 597 459

clairev.johnston@act.gov.au


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