By Alesha Capone
The Werribee Hospital Foundation has raised $13,900 to upgrade the Werribee Mercy Hospital’s ageing Mental Health Triage Line.
As reported by Star Weekly in May last year, the foundation launched the appeal because the 15 year-old phone system – which receives upwards of 25,000 calls each year – was “struggling to cope with unprecedented, fast-escalating demand”.
The triage line links callers with police, community workers and health professionals.
The foundation announced last week that the appeal has successfully raised the funds needed to upgrade the triage line.
In a letter to the foundation’s supporters, WHF chief executive Leanne Down wrote that she would like to thank everyone who donated to make the phone system upgrade possible.
“I am incredibly proud of the work the foundation has achieved already in 2021,” the letter stated
“Our community has proven yet again that their generosity and support is exceptional.
“It is truly humbling to witness such a strong community spirit in action, and in light of the difficult year we have had, our collective results are even more impressive.”
In more good news, the letter stated that the foundation has also raised enough money to purchase a piece of equipment called an AccuVein for the Werribee Mercy Hospital’s paediatrics ward.
“The vein finder will help to ease the distress of our littlest patients and anything to make their hospital experience less traumatic is worth its weight in gold,” Ms Down wrote.
Ms Down said she wanted to thank the Lions Club of Point Cook for donating $500 towards the purchase of the AccuVein.
