Lynne Mowbray |

The Grafton Base Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was presented with a cheque by the Grafton Midday Rotary Club last week for $12,300, for a new ICU defibrillator.

ICU manager Andrew White said that the new machine will give more sick people the opportunity to remain close to where they live in the Clarence Valley.

“It enables an extension of our intensive care services that we’ve been able to offer here in Grafton,” Mr White said.

“This machine is much more specialised than the (emergency) defibrillator units which are out in the community (that the public can access in an emergency).

“(With this new machine) it means that there is a whole range of things we can do here. Back in the day people may have had to be sent to the Gold Coast to get those services.

“It’s all part of a whole suite of things we’re doing to make critical care possible, here in the Clarence Valley,” he said.

Mr White said that the ICU was grateful to the Grafton Midday Rotary Club for providing the new defibrillator, adding that they should feel proud knowing that that they have helped the community (by their generous donation).