Members are taking a summer break following a year of great activity and the YHA thank the Yass Valley community for the very positive and enthusiastic support shown during fund raising activities this year.

Guest speaker Jill McGovern spoke about how health was delivered in our area.

Ms McGovern explained the role of the Community Consultative Committee of which she is chairperson and emphasised the importance of her job in collecting and collating data to support the community’s call for various services to be improved.

YHA considers her an advocate for change.

Other speakers were Mary Smeaton and Geoff Frost, who spoke about the latest on the health system and the community committee. 

The growing population in the Yass Valley and the limited size of the local Hospital continues to be of concern but the service provided is second to none.

However, the considerable increase in serious emergency presentations in the past few years and a significant increase in other types of presentations is putting a strain on both the facilities and hard-working staff.

Through the fundraising activities this year, members are often told by new Yass Valley residents that part of the attraction to the town is its hospital.

As well, many long-time residents comment on what an important and reassuring asset the hospital has been to them and their families over the years.

The aim of the YHA is to provide comfort and a better experience for the patients during their stay in the hospital and to support the staff in their work.

This is achieved by providing better and more up-to-date equipment.

A special effort is put into showing the staff our appreciation by supporting them with ‘goodies’ on International Nurses Day.

The process of purchasing new equipment is quite interesting.

Senior hospital staff consider requests from other staff and research various options and obtain quotes.

Following that, a request is put to the Hospital Auxiliary members who then consider the purchase based on funds available.

Once the item has been fully researched and the staff are certain it meets the needs they have specified, the YHA will approve the expenditure and refund the cost to the hospital upon receipt of a copy of the invoice.

During the past couple of years, $25,000 has been spent by the YHA in providing much needed equipment requested by hospital staff.

This has included bathroom aids, wheelchairs, a high-back chair, trauma bed and comfort chairs, not to mention gifts for patients unfortunate enough to be using the hospital at Christmas.

All of the money raised results from local fundraising and everyone who contributes can be assured that every cent raised stays in the Yass Valley.

New members are always welcome to come to the YHA meetings and join if they like.

The next meeting is on Monday, February 5, 2018 at the Yass Hospital meeting room.