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Projects

April 3, 2024
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Family fun at the 2024 Heritage Karalee – Ipswich100 Charity Bike Ride

By | Fitness, Fundraising, Health, Initiatives, Projects, Recent

Cyclists from all around SEQ gathered at the University of Southern Queensland’s Ipswich campus early Sunday morning for the Heritage Karalee – Ipswich100 charity bike ride, an iconic charity bike ride that raises funds for several important local causes.

The much-loved ride celebrated its 25th anniversary event on Sunday 24 March 2024.

The overcast and drizzly weather couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the participants, with 542 riders donning their ride bibs and putting the pedal to the metal for the early morning ride through the picturesque Scenic Rim.

The ride is an initiative of the Lions Club of Brisbane West, in association with the Ipswich Hospital Foundation, with cyclists coming from far and wide to take part in this historic event.

This year, the Heritage Karalee – Ipswich100 was very much a family affair, with multi-generations of riders taking part, including grandfather-and-grandson team, Connor and Evan.

Sixteen-year-old Connor, who joined grandad Evan, experienced a heart-stopping moment just before the ride started when he needed to make a quick pit stop at 99Bikes with just a couple of minutes to spare.

Fortunately, he was able to get back on the road, joining Grandad Evan before the pair sped off to take the lead.

Also in the mix was a three-generation race trio with Grandfather Bruce, Uncle Steve and 12-year-old Aidan.  Bruce and Aidan took on the Fun Filled 50km, while Steve took on the Imperial 100-mile challenge.

Cyclists had a choice of three routes, from the 100-mile (160km) to 100km and 50km rides.

Riders started and finished at Ipswich’s picturesque University of Southern Queensland campus and passed through farming land and bushland of the Scenic Rim with spectacular views to the Great Divide and Cunningham’s Gap.

The Heritage Karalee – Ipswich100 is famed as south-east Queensland’s friendliest, most scenic, and best-catered ride. The Lions Club of Brisbane West place emphasis on rider safety and support with directional signage, course marshals and rest stops staffed by volunteers with complimentary refreshments and sunscreen.

Feedback from a first-time participant described the event as well organised, well signed and extremely well supported, citing the wonderful group of volunteers who took part and played crucial roles both off and on the course.

The ride received strong support from volunteers in Ipswich and the Scenic Rim including the regions supporting Lions Clubs (each receives a share of the funds raised for their own local projects).

Beneficiaries include Ipswich Hospital Foundation, SES State Emergency Services, Moggill Men’s Shed, Rover Scouts Indooroopilly Rovers, Lions Club Brisbane West and other local Lions Clubs projects and charities.

Photo: Heritage Karalee – Ipswich100 participants Connor and Evan. Image credit: Ipswich Hospital Foundation

March 28, 2024
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Impact Funding: IHF helping change how care is delivered.

By | Fundraising, Health, Initiatives, Projects, Recent

Community donors have backed innovative clinicians at West Moreton Health to launch tech advances and services to give more people access to quality care.

Ten projects, including a game-changing new technology used in breast cancer surgery and the introduction of cutting-edge cardiac equipment used during the placements of stents, will change the way care is delivered in West Moreton.

Ipswich Hospital Foundation (IHF) Chief Executive Officer Scott Young said the projects had been funded through its new Impact Funding grants program, which aimed to improve health outcomes and patient experiences through community involvement.

“It’s thanks to the incredible support and generosity of this community that Ipswich Hospital Foundation can support West Moreton Health teams to pursue some incredible new projects dedicated to improving health outcomes, right across the region,” Mr Young said.

Mr Young said the Impact Funding grants program had been funded by supporters and generous donors from its annual tax and Christmas appeals and funds raised at events such as Go Pink, Park2Park, and the IHF 25th gala anniversary dinner.

“We’re extremely grateful to the community and excited to continue our work to bring better healthcare closer to home.”

Cardiac Cath Lab doctors with Ipswich Hospital Foundation CEO Scott Young.
Dr Yohan Chacko and Dr Johanne Neill from the Cardiac Cath Lab with Ipswich Hospital Foundation Chief Executive Officer Scott Young. 

West Moreton Health Chief Executive Hannah Bloch said the funding would provide the local community with access to latest technologies and new equipment, research into conditions that affect patients with severe mental illnesses, and programs to inform and support the local community.

“Tech advances and equipment delivered through the IHF Impact Funding will give more people in the community access to the best possible healthcare they need, and sooner,” Ms Bloch said.

“We are thrilled to partner with Ipswich Hospital Foundation and would like to thank the many donors from across the region for the important role they play helping the West Moreton Health population achieve the best possible health.

“IHF is also supporting our staff to improve their clinical capabilities by accessing latest technologies and pursing innovation.”

What is Impact Funding?

Ipswich Hospital Foundation’s Impact Funding is a quarterly funding program, allowing West Moreton Health employees and departments an opportunity to apply for funding for innovative medical equipment, enhancing patient and support persons’ care, health promotion and research and innovation.

Funding aligns with West Moreton population key health priorities including:

  • Care closer to home
  • First Nation’s health equity
  • Chronic disease
  • Mental health
  • Patient and support persons’ experience

Ipswich Hospital Foundation’s Impact Funding will deliver the following programs:

  • Ipswich Hospital will be the first public hospital in Queensland to offer the SCOUT wire-free breast localisation technology, an innovative piece of equipment that will eliminate the need for existing hookwire procedures, and significantly reduce stress and discomfort for breast cancer patients.
  • cutting-edge technology that enables doctors to see detailed images of the inside of blood vessels, allowing them to visualise the exact location and size of blockages and precisely guide the placement of stents to restore blood flow to the heart.
  • new equipment to improve the lives of patients with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) as the result of a chronic condition.
  • new adaptive aids for patients with upper limb impairment to improve their independence.
  • a new screening device to enhance diagnosis and wound treatment by the Wound Care Nurse Team
  • an education and awareness program on kidney health for Samoan Australians
  • creating a more welcoming waiting area for rehabilitation patients.
  • additional training innovations for X-ray operators
  • funding to support Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Day in 2024

In addition to these 10 key projects, IHF and WMH are delighted to announce Speech Pathology and Audiology Director Dr Katrina Dunn is the recipient of IHF’s grant for mental health research.

The $30,000 grant is made possible by funds raised at IHF’s 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner held in 2023.

The grant will allow Dr Dunn and her team to study dysphagia presentation and management in adult patients who experience significant mental health impacts.

The next round of Impact Funding is now open. Visit the Impact Funding Portal  

Applications close 19 April 2024.

 

March 8, 2023
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Hospital Foundation helps secure items for rural hospitals

By | Fundraising, Health, Projects, Recent

The Ipswich Hospital Foundation (IHF) has secured $30,000 worth of equipment for West Moreton Health hospitals at Gatton, Laidley and Esk.

IHF Chief Executive Officer Scott Young said visitor chairs, sofas and televisions were among the items requested by the rural directors of nursing when grant applications were compiled, along with a pressure care chair for Laidley Hospital.

“We are over the moon to be supplying the rural hospitals and their communities with this equipment,” Mr Young said.

“These items will go a long way towards improving the experience of patients and their loved ones when they visit our facilities.”

Mr Young said the IHF was also co-ordinating the revitalisation of three gardens at Gatton Hospital next week by 30 Year 10 students who are studying at the Australian Industry Trade College. Bunnings Plainland has kindly donated the mulch, plants and equipment.

Work on a reflection garden at Laidley Hospital is due to commence in July.

Director of Nursing at Gatton Hospital, Deb Woods, said she was very grateful for the work of the IHF, the generosity of Bunnings and the kindness of students and staff at the Australian Industry Trade College.

“We look forward to offering patients and their loved ones a more comfortable stay with us as well as some beautiful new gardens that all the community can enjoy,” Ms Woods said.

Mr Young said the IHF had submitted a further $332,000 worth of grant applications, which, if successful, would benefit all five West Moreton Health hospitals as well as its research and innovation program.

“Despite our charity’s legacy name, we represent all of the hospitals in the West Moreton region in our funding applications, our fundraising activities and through the work of our generous community volunteers,” Mr Young said.

The IHF has aligned its strategic direction with that of West Moreton Health to concentrate on enabling targeted, evidence-based initiatives that would benefit the health service and community.

For more information on the IHF’s fundraising efforts, visit their website.