Sunshine Hospital will start construction of its new children’s ward next month after a year-long public appeal by the Western Health Foundation raised $1.1 million.
The new ward will include a renovated bathing room, a negative pressure room for infection control, a five-bed day procedure recovery unit, a high-care nursery with new monitoring systems for asthma patients, an exercise space and upgraded en suites in two single rooms.
The existing children’s ward is more than 30 years old and cares for more than 7300 sick kids a year.
Local businesswoman and mother of three Jenny Sadler, who owns eight McDonald’s franchises across the west, has led the charge, raising more than $118,000 through a recent fund-raising dinner at Moonee Valley Racing Club.
Because of Ms Sadler’s commitment and the support of other McDonald’s licensees in the west, the Ronald McDonald House Charity has committed a further $200,000 to fully fund a family room, which will include a kitchen, washer and dryer to create a temporary home away from home for the families of sick kids.
Work will start on the redevelopment in July, with the new ward due to be opened at the end of September.
Ms Sadler said she would also like to see the family room staffed with a play therapist.
“I’ve had a reasonable amount of success and I think that as part of that I need to give back,” she said.
“I’ve had two of my kids stay in the Sunshine Hospital [with asthma] and, quite frankly, the staff and everything are fantastic, but the facilities aren’t up to where they should be.
“I think that no matter where you live and what your socio-economic status, not only do you deserve the best service with doctors, but also the highest level of facilities.
“We want to add a little more value to the experience of the families that do have the unfortunate situation of having to be in the ward at all.”
Western Health Foundation executive director David Jones said the hospital also raised money through the annual Western Health race day at Flemington Racecourse, community events such as the Walk West along the Maribyrnong River and significant donations by local businesses.
Mr Jones said he was thrilled by the support of business people such as Ms Sadler.
“It’s been quite incredible,” he said. “We’re providing an opportunity for the Brimbank community to support their own.
“It’s really being able to cater for different levels of health care in the ward in a way that reflects the health care of today, rather than the health care of the ’80s.”
If you wish to donate to the redevelopment, call the Western Health Foundation on 8395 8067 or email foundation@wh.org.au
