Cardiologist Dr Austin May, CHHC General Manager Lydia Dennett and Coronary Angiography Nurse Unit Manager Maura Kelly express their gratitude to Rob and Margaret Chapman for a $14,000 donation that has enabled the hospital’s Pacemaker Service to acquire a state-of-the-art PlasmaBlade.

Donation ensures pacemaker patients can stay in Coffs

Dec 04, 2023

Coffs Harbour’s Pacemaker Service has received a state-of-the-art PlasmaBlade, ensuring local patients can have their operation at Coffs Harbour Health Campus.

The $34,000 device was gifted to the service through a $14,000 donation from Coffs Harbour couple Rob and Margaret Chapman and a bequest.

Coronary Angiography Nurse Unit Manager Maura Kelly said the lightweight electrosurgical system is used for soft tissue dissection, enabling surgeons to quickly and safely replace pacemaker batteries or devices.

“We are very grateful for this donation because we can offer the highest level of care for pacemaker replacements at the Coffs Harbour Health Campus,” Ms Kelly said.

“It means these patients have their local support network of family and friends nearby.

“The donation also delivers better medical outcomes for our patients. This relatively new technology is as precise as a surgical scalpel and limits blood loss and tissue damage, which means patients heal faster.

“This is a game-changer for our pacemaker service, and we can’t thank the Chapmans enough for recognising the need and responding to it.”

Rob and Margaret Chapman have previously donated equipment to the hospital’s Paediatric Unit, Medical and Surgical units, and Emergency.

“The Health service can’t be expected to fund everything it would like to have,” Mrs Chapman said.

“We like to support our local hospital and its wonderful staff so that they can purchase additional equipment likely to benefit as many people as possible.”

Mr Chapman said he encouraged others who were able to donate to consider giving to their local public hospital. 

“This is one way to guarantee these donations not only help sick people and their health professionals, but also their families, friends, and neighbours. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that our donation will make a real difference in so many people’s lives,” Mr Chapman said.