October 30, 2013

Foundation spends $500,000 on scholarships

The Hutt Hospital Foundation has spent at least half a million dollars over the last three years on scholarships, for students interested in working in the health sector and advanced training for Hutt Hospital staff.

The scholarships awarded include programmes like Physiotherapy, Social Work, Nursing, Midwifery, Counselling and Pharmacy.

The Foundation provides a set number of scholarships for Maori and Pacific students in the Valley, as well as contributing to the Primary Nurse Education Fund.

Foundation chair, Charles Peterson, says with the help of the hospital, the Trust has also funded equipment to support the Hospitals specialist activities.

“These include a faster skin healing bed for the Burns Unit, testing equipment for children’s hearing, major assistance with the renovation of the children’s ward, development of the Tree Hutt concept and distraction therapy programme in the ED department, neonatal resuscitation units, and video equipment.”

The hospital is the largest employer in Valley with over 2300 staff and provides specialised services to a number of patients annually. Mr Peterson says Hutt Hospital has developed a high reputation for its clinical excellence and its interaction with the community.

He says the purpose of the Trust is to raise awareness in the community for the work of the public health services in the Valley, to raise funds and to support the work and specialised training of the Hutt Hospital staff.

The Trust was founded in 1993 and is funded by donations and bequests from the public, charities and the hospital shop.

The Trust’s new Board include the chief executives of Lower Hutt Council, Tony Stallinger, Upper Hutt Council, Chris Upton, together with regional Councillor Prue Lamason and other distinguished people from the community.

Currently the Foundation is working with Hospital staff, together with creative consultants, to enhance the Tree Hutt distraction therapy concept in areas of the hospital where high numbers of children receive professional assistance and hospital care.

In addition the Foundation recently received a significant bequest from a deceased estate in which the benefactor specifically asked that the monies be used specifically for the purpose of education, training and professional development of community nurses. The board is currently working with the Executive Director of Nursing to implement a programme which will fulfil the wishes of the benefactor.

Ends

© Scoop Media