The Hospital Research Foundation’s home in the north

The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) has opened its new northern hub at the Lyell McEwin Hospital. If you are visiting the Lyell McEwin Hospital, ask one of the volunteer guides to direct you to THRF’s hub. It’s just down the corridor from the main hospital entrance.

THRF funds vital medical research and patient care activities in hospitals. The Foundation extended its support to the Lyell McEwin Hospital at the beginning of 2017.

The Lyell McEwin has partnered with THRF by providing a dedicated space for its hub where visitors and staff can chat to THRF representatives and find out how the Foundation is supporting South Australian health and medical initiatives that benefit the local community. Visitors to the hub can sign up to THRF’s newsletter, take home a brochure and buy tickets in the Hospital Research Home Lottery. Proceeds from tickets purchased at the hospital-based hub go back into the Lyell McEwin Hospital to fund lifesaving research and patient care initiatives.

THRF Chief Executive Officer Paul Flynn said one of the reasons the Lyell McEwin Hospital was selected to be a THRF partner was because, being situated in the north, the hospital cared for the fastest growing community in the state.

“The northern and north eastern suburbs are an area of growth where we know we can make a difference by supporting world-class medical research and exceptional health services,” Paul said.

“And, the Lyell McEwin Hospital is known for constantly striving to improve care through innovation.

“This was evident from the submissions for our first round of Lyell McEwin research grants. The range of research presented to us was remarkable. We have provided grants to areas right across the service including gastroenterology, cardiology, palliative care, physiotherapy, diabetes and maternal health. It’s wonderful to see how research and innovation is embraced hospital-wide.”

Recent projects funded by THRF benefitting the Lyell McEwin Hospital and the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) include:

  • a $90,000 world-class purpose built audiology booth, located in the Outpatients Department, for both adults and children to have their hearing assessed before and after surgery or treatment
  • $200,000 towards palliative care services
  • $351,000 over three years to support volunteer services.

Going home kits

Lyell McEwin Hospital inpatients have started receiving going home kits to keep documents related to their care safe and in order throughout their hospital stay and once they have been discharged. Patients surveyed overwhelmingly supported the initiative.

Ward staff can put information relevant to the patient’s care and discharge in the folder so it doesn’t get misplaced.

The kits have been developed in partnership with THRF and each comes with a THRF letter, brochure and newsletter. This helps educate patients about THRF and provides them with an opportunity to give back to hospitals within NALHN by making a donation.

The kits also include a volunteer services brochure and housekeeping information.