The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch presented a cheque for $40,000 to East Grampians Health Service as part of its commitment to the purchase of a new anaesthetic machine.

The $114,070 anaesthetic machine will be used in the EGHS Jason Bond Perioperative Unit.

The upgrade of the Perioperative Unit was funded by the Ararat Branch in 2015 and included a redesign and refurbishment of the theatre recovery and day procedure unit. It was named in memory of local young man Jason Bond, a police officer in training, who died as a result of a motor vehicle accident in 2011.

The donation, which primarily came from the proceeds of the recent successful Gala Night, is the first instalment in the anaesthetic machine project, with the Branch expecting to make another donation following next year’s Grampians ‘Ride to Remember’ in February.

Ararat Branch president Dianne Radford said the branch was pleased to be able to present the first instalment towards the anaesthetic machine.

“Since the Ararat Branch of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation was formed 22 years ago, we have donated more than $1 million to East Grampians Health Service, of which our volunteer committee is very proud,” Mrs Radford said.

“The anaesthetic machine is a vital piece of equipment for the Perioperative Unit, and we are very pleased to donate this equipment to the unit named in honour of Jason Bond.”

The anaesthetic machine is used for anaesthetic purposes for every patient who has a procedure in theatre. 

The purpose of the anaesthetic machine is for the safe administration of anaesthetic gases, including oxygen, medical air, Nitrous and the actual anaesthetic agents. It also allows for the safe and effective monitoring of the anaesthetised patient at all times throughout their anaesthetic journey.

The anaesthetic machine acts as the lungs for the anaesthetised patient, with the ability to administer the correct amounts of medication required for that patient to have their surgery, in a safe and controlled environment.

EGHS chief executive Nick Bush thanked the Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch for the first instalment towards, and generous support of, the anaesthetic machine project.“With the support and dedication of the Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat branch, partners, businesses, organisations and everyone who annually supports the Ararat Branch’s fundraising efforts, we are able to provide state of the art equipment and facilities for our community,” Mr Bush said.