Rotary mission spots vital signs

By Monique Ebrington
THE Rotary Club of Healesville has handed over a gift that will help the Healesville Ambulance Service save time and lives.
Through a fundraising project, the Healesville and Yarra Glen Community Service Directory, Healesville Rotary saved close to $10,000 for a Welch Allyn Spot Vital Signs Unit, and pole mounts, to be installed in each of the three ambulances that service the Yarra Valley.
Healesville paramedic Bernie Harkins said the new technology allowed for blood pressure, pulse rate and mean arterial pressure to be monitored and displayed from the one machine.
“It allows us to do so many things, medically, as well as concentrating on trying to keep the patient calm,” Ms Harkins said.
“Basically it’s a very handy edition to our vehicles. We are just so grateful for these machines and the ongoing support of Rotary.”
Healesville Rotarian Tom Whelan said the club was pleased to, again, help Healesville Ambulance Service obtain equipment for its vehicles.
He said that in 2006 the Rotary Club of Healesville raised enough funding to buy three sat-nav units for the ambulance service.
Mr Whelan said they had also worked together in promoting an Emergency Medical Information Book.
“Rotary is there to serve the general public and work in partnership with other community service organisations, so we are very satisfied with the result of this project,” he said.