Beyond medical intervention, sometimes it’s the simple things that help us feel cared for, such as emergency clothing, providing comfort and dignity when faced with a health emergency.
Bendigo Health’s Fundraising & Foundation Emergency Patient Clothing Program assists around 20 individuals every month by providing items such as a t-shirt, pants, underwear, socks or footwear when urgently needed in the Emergency and other Bendigo Health departments.
The innovation for this came from Anton Morrison, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Emergency Department, who saw a need for something to be done for patients who, for various reasons, lose the clothing they come through the door with. The circumstances are beyond the patient’s control.
“Most common are people that have been involved in trauma and their clothing has had to be cut away for us to treat them,” Anton said.
“Hundreds of people have benefited from The Foundation Patient Clothing Program.”
This program is now in place for all Bendigo Health departments.
Bendigo Health services and treats over a quarter of a million Victorians each year. More than 10,000 of these patients come through the doors via an ambulance stretcher. Many of these patients have experienced traumatic events and with this program set in place we now have options for them. “There isn’t a day that goes by when one of our staff doesn’t tell me how awesome it is to have this initiative. Thank you to everyone who donates to make this happen,” Anton said.
We rely on community support and donations for the sustainability of the Emergency Patient Clothing Program. You can help by making a donation today.
