Rural Doctors Foundation

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Medihoods

Protecting against infection

It is hard to remember the fear and uncertainty we all felt on the outbreak of COVID. But in hospitals the fear was palpable. And even more so, for rural hospitals where the loss of one doctor or nurse could result in the closure of the hospital.

We knew we had to do something

Rural Doctors Foundation  launched a national advocacy and fundraising campaign to deliver much needed Medihoods to rural and remote hospitals, protecting hospital staff and patients from COVID-19 and other infectious illnesses.

The Medihood is installed easily over a hospital bed and with a specialised air filtering system, creates a cover of protection over each patient, enabling doctors and nurses to care for patients while reducing the risk of cross infection. The hoods can be moved from bed to bed when needed.

They were developed at the University of Melbourne as a collaboration between Professor Jason Monty, Head of Mechanical Engineering, and Critical Care Associate Professor Forbes McGain, supported by a core team of experts including Nurse Sam Bates.

With grant funding, support from our donors and an advocacy campaign, Rural Doctors Foundation was instrumental in delivering over 180 of these devices into rural hospitals across Australia. The devices are still in use today and although not as critical as during COVID, they are used in cases of infectious disease including influenza.

“These Medihoods are life saving devices that protect patients, nurses and doctors from cross infection. The peace of mind they provided at the height of the COVID pandemic was incredible.”

Sam Bates - Emergency Nurse

Rural Doctors Foundation was generously supported to deliver Medihoods to ten rural and remote hospitals across Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territory. We also received funding through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant to deliver over 140 replacement covers. The awareness raised by the Appeal also resulted in 150 Medihoods being ordered directly by Queensland Health for rural and remote hospitals across Queensland.

We appreciate the support of those that made this possible. Thank you Community Benefit Fund, Rural Doctors Association Australia, Aeris Resources, Booval Rotary Club, Drouin Rotary Club, Kestrel Coal and our individual supporters.

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