Where Your Money Goes
The Geelong Hospital Appeal is the charitable arm of Barwon Health. The Annual Appeal supports the public health services provided by Barwon Health - this includes the Andrew Love Cancer Centre, McKellar Centre for aged care, palliative care, rehabilitation, plus cardiac, renal and diabetes services. The Appeal also
supports projects that improve patient comfort and care.
Individuals or groups who raise funds for a particular piece of equipment or service within Barwon Health, can direct where the funds go to. Contributions can therefore be made towards Cancer Services, the Children’s Ward, Special Care Nursery, The McKellar Centre, Cardiology or Renal Services for example.
Individuals, companies and organisations that make financial contributions to the Geelong Hospital Appeal are supporting a wide range of services, facility improvements and equipment purchases - some examples are below. 
The major focus of the Geelong Hospital Appeal is the Cotton On Foundation Children's Ward Redevelopment - a $7.8million community funded project. This project is community partnership with Barwon Health to improve patient care and facilities for children and their families in our region. Stage 2 of 5 stages was completed in July 2011, however funds are still needed to complete the project.
The redevelopment will give the ward and new playroom a fresh facade with a feeling of light and space. A negative pressure room has been opened for children with infectious illnesses and a high dependency room that enables 24hour care. Ensuites have been provided in the refurbished rooms, previously bathrooms were communal. New electric hi-lo beds will be fitted and other important pieces of medical equipment are being purchased. Link nurses have been trained in oncology joint care to work in collaberation with the Royal Children's Hospital and Monash Medical Centre.
Purchases and funds contributed in the 2010/2011 financial year:
Many important equipment purchases and contributions were made with the funds raised from the Geelong Hospital Appeal.
Some examples are...
Electrocardio machines for IRC x 4 units cost $62,000.
Electrocardiography (ECG) is a transthoracic (across the thorax or chest) interpretation of the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time,
as detected by electrodes attached to the outer surface of the skin and recorded by a device external to the body.
The recording produced by this noninvasive procedure is termed an electrocardiogram (also ECG).
Duodenovideoscope for the Operating Theatre x 3 units cost $175,500.
These pieces of equipment are used to view and image the small intestine. The new scopes offer greater image quality, manueverability and patient comfort.
Plastic microscope for the Operating Theatre Leica M525 cost $106,950.
A high resolution microscope used for plastic surgery, oral reconstructive surgery, ear nose and throat surgery and other surgery requiring high resolution viewing.
Vitrectomy Machine for the Operating Theatre cost $135,000.
Vitrectomy is removing the vitreous jelly from the eye, and is used when performing lens replacement surgery. In modern vitrectomy three incisions are made in the eye. In one incision a tube is connected to the eye which provides fluid to the eye to replace the vitreous which is being removed. Through the other two sites are placed lighted instruments and a machine called a vitrector. The vitreous can be removed from the eye efficiently and keeps the inner components of the eye from being damaged.
Gastrovideoscope for the Operating Theatre x 3 cost $66,047.
This equipment is used to view and image the stomach region. The new scopes offer greater image quality, manueverability and patient comfort.
Steam Sterilizer Vapofix for the Community Health Centre Corio cost $49,039.
Used to sterilize medical and dental equipment at the Corio dental clinic.
All monetary donations over $2.00 to the Geelong Hospital Appeal are fully tax deductible.
Click here to donate now.