The Jaundice Detector, which will now be used by the community midwife, checks for jaundice by reading the bilirubin level in a neonate when placed on the skin.

The hospital said the new device will save families from travelling to Canberra for an invasive blood test, identifying only babies that need further attention. Southern NSW Local Health District (LHD) said currently either the midwife is calling the local doctors at all hours for help or patients are travelling up to an hour to an emergency department in ACT to wait for results or have a reading.

The local health service provider said: “At present, visual assessments are attended with/without formal pathology testing. The results of formal pathology testing are delayed, with results returning to the health service outside of working hours, which results in delays to treatment if results are critical.”

A Facebook post about the arrival of the device said: “Yass Hospital Auxiliary is very proud to be able to have purchased a Jaundice Detector valued at $4320.

“Clinical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the detector, which is now best practice.”

The LHD Rural Adversity Mental Health Program and Local Land Services will be at the South Eastern Livestock Exchange (SELX), Yass on Thursday October 4, 9am-2pm, to launch a Glove Box Guide to Mental Health.

The guide, designed by the three groups, aims to start more conversations around mental health, particularly in rural areas where individuals are affected by stressful issues such as drought.

There will also be the opportunity for people to get their blood pressure and glucose checked and speak to nurses about their physical health. Local Land Services will also be there to offer advice on stocking and feeding and more.