The long-awaited new Noosa hospital buggy service was launched on Wednesday 8 December along with the return of the volunteer-run concierge service.
Providing much appreciated assistance, volunteers collect patients from the far-flung reaches of the carpark and transport them in the buggy to the hospital door.
As Justin Greenwell, the hospital chief executive officer said at the opening ceremony, reducing the stress of impending procedures can have real, positive outcomes for the patients.
“Patients get enormous benefits from the smiles and positive attitudes of the volunteers who transport them. People experience care, right from the carpark,” Mr Greenwell said.
After the demise of the old buggy, patients sorely missed the service. Following an approach by John Milland, Community Advisory Committee member, Noosa’s volunteer organisations again stepped forward.
The Tewantin Noosa Lions Club, the Noosa Heads Lions Club, the Australian Lions Foundation and local business Gregson and Weight provided funding for the new buggy. Gregson and Weight had supplied the original buggy, which did great service over many years until retiring to that great hospital carpark in the sky.
Bob Abbott, another Community Advisory Committee member described the fabulous service provided by the community and noted how wonderful it was to see it coming back into operation. Although other concierge services exist at hospitals around Australia, the one operating at Noosa Hospital is thought to be one of the few run entirely by volunteers.
Noosa Hospital, now in its 21st year of operation, provides a vital health service to Noosa’s growing population. With almost 100 beds, the hospital runs three operating theatres and employs 445 staff. Record levels of activity are currently being experienced with more than 21,000 patient interactions and over 18,000 people through the emergency department in the past year.
Now, patients will again be able to enjoy being picked up from their parked car and delivered to the hospital door. Dispensing a smile and comforting words, Noosa’s volunteers show us all how to provide a bit of kindness.
