Ambulance auxiliary supports local branch through new equipment

The outstanding fundraising efforts of the Ararat Ambulance Victoria Auxiliary have equipped Ararat paramedics with a brand new HoverMatt and HoverJack.

The new equipment is above and beyond the expectations of crews who are so grateful for the generosity of the community and volunteer auxiliary members who give their time to ensure Ararat paramedics have the best equipment and training possible.

Ambulance Victoria Acting Ararat Team Manager Anna Southby said the new equipment was already benefiting local crews.

“Crews have used the new equipment in field on numerous occasions already to help them safely move patients and provide the most appropriate care to them in their homes,” Anna said.

“This is extremely beneficial to the Ararat and surrounding branches as working in small teams can limit how many staff are available to help move patients. Now, we can quickly lift a patient safely, while keeping them comfortable, and transport them to hospital within a reasonable time frame.

“The HoverMatt and HoverJack are also improving crew safety by reducing workplace injuries, allowing more staff to remain working in ambulances to provide care to local communities.”

The HoverMatt is a specialist inflatable product designed to go under a patient to help safely move them without lifting. The HoverMatt is often used alongside the HoverJack, which is a larger mattress-shaped item crews can inflate for easy and safe transfer of a patient onto an ambulance stretcher.

In addition to what is already provided by Ambulance Victoria, donations and locally raised auxiliary funds allow areas like Ararat to provide crews with specialised equipment, resources and advanced training, supporting staff to continue delivering high quality clinical care.

Ararat Ambulance Victoria Auxiliary President Gwenda Allgood said the group were delighted to be able to help provide much needed resources to the local branch.

“We’re a group of community-minded people who love what we do and we are always trying to find ways to give back,” Gwenda said.

“When the local branch approached us and explained the need for this new equipment and the benefits it would have, we were more than happy to provide the funding.

“The auxiliary has been operating for about 45 years now and we’re proud to be able to support our local paramedics and help make our ambulance service the best it can be.”

Over the years, the Ararat Ambulance Victoria Auxiliary has made many generous donations to the local branch including training resources such as manikins and other equipment.

Their generosity extends to the whole community, with the group also regularly donating automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the town and surrounding areas to improve the health outcomes for people in cardiac arrest.

“Purchasing the new HoverMatt and HoverJack wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of our local ambulance auxiliary,” Anna said.

“Before having this equipment, we had to frequently borrow it from other agencies or had to rely on specialist ambulances to arrive.

“The auxiliary’s ongoing support doesn’t go unrecognised, and we are deeply grateful to have established a strong relationship with them.”

Ambulance auxiliaries play an integral role in providing their local branches and community with equipment and education, in addition to raising awareness of AV and the work of its people.

The Ararat Ambulance Auxiliary welcomes new members and encourages anyone interested in giving back to their community to join.

Read more about joining ambulance auxiliaries or how to make a tax deductible donation to Ambulance Victoria.