Clinical director of Dubbo Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) Dr David Lord Cowell has asked the community to think of it as a “precious resource” in the lead-up to Christmas.
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He offered up advice for staying “safe” in the festive season during an inspection of a new and life-saving ultrasound machine donated by the Rotary Club of Dubbo to the ED through community fundraising.
Dr Lord Cowell said with Christmas approaching “we just need everyone to keep a look out for each other”.
He urged residents to be “a little bit sensible” and avoid injury from activities “which if you were sober you wouldn’t consider doing”.
The ED’s clinical director asked community members to help guard against friends and family drink-driving.
Asked when Christmas celebrations would impact the ED, Dr Lord Cowell said: “It doesn’t seem like we’ve stopped since last Christmas. Our feet haven’t touched the ground . We’ve been working very hard.”
The ED’s clinical director reiterated that the ED was aptly named. “The ED is a precious resource for the people who need it,” he said. “Try and seek help outside of the ED if it is not an emergency. We really would like people to save emergency for emergencies.”
Dr Lord Cowell joined ED operations manager Clint Grose in showing president of the Rotary Club of Dubbo Sandy Birkett-Williams, past present Jeannette Miller, and fellow club members Ray Nolan and Barry Brebner, the ultrasound machine that cost the club almost $48,000.
He said it was used up to 20 times a day for a “multitude of acute and emergency procedures” such as placing central lines, gaining venous access and “doing echos in emergencies and resuscitation”.
Dr Lord Cowell said community support of the club’s successful bid to buy the ultrasound machine “speaks a lot about rural health and about Dubbo”.
Mrs Birkett-Williams said the cost of the portable ultrasound machine was justified by its capabilities. “We are very proud to represent the Dubbo community and be able to present this to the hospital,” she said.
