Four people, including three healthare workers, smile and look over a piece of surgical equipment.

Jim Bruce Trustee Robert Hiatt, Perioperative Nurse Leanne Merrill, Clinical Nurse Specialist Urology Sayad Rahamathulla and Dr Nader Award of the Jim Bruce Trust with the Stepper Stabiliser donated to Port Macquarie Base Hospital in support of prostate cancer patients.

Jim Bruce Trust donates vital diagnosis equipment to PMBH

Oct 04, 2024

Port Macquarie Base Hospital (PMBH) has received a vital piece of equipment to enhance surgical precision and improve patient outcomes, thanks to the generosity of the Jim Bruce Trust.

The Trust has donated a Stepper Stabiliser, valued at $26,000, to the hospital’s operating theatre. This cutting-edge tool is a game changer for image-guided surgeries, particularly for prostate cancer patients.

The Stepper Stabiliser plays a crucial role in ensuring that surgeons can perform image-guided procedures with greater accuracy and efficiency. It holds and positions imaging devices, such as ultrasound probes, during surgery. By stabilising these devices, the Stepper provides surgeons with clear, consistent images in real-time, allowing them to navigate complex surgeries with greater confidence and precision.

Leanne Parsons, Perioperative Services Nurse Manager at PMBH, said the donation comes as a much-needed replacement for the hospital’s old stabiliser, ensuring that patients can benefit from the latest technology in prostate cancer surgery and other delicate procedures.

“The Stepper Stabiliser is an essential tool for our surgical team,” Mrs Parsons said.

“It enhances the precision of image-guided procedures, helping us target areas more accurately and ultimately improving outcomes for our patients.

“The generous donation from the Jim Bruce Trust will not only increase the efficiency of our surgeries but also save lives by ensuring patients receive the best care possible,” Mrs Parsons said.

The Jim Bruce Trust has long been a generous supporter of Port Macquarie Base Hospital, particularly in the area of prostate cancer care.

Just four months ago, the Trust donated a $47,000 UV high-level disinfection unit, which reduced cleaning procedures for biopsy probes from three hours to about 90 seconds, ensuring more patients had greater access to biopsy testing.  

“The Trust’s contributions have helped the hospital stay at the forefront of medical technology, improving the safety and success of critical procedures,” said Trustee Dr Nader Awad.

“Jim Bruce Trust donated the first Stepper Stabiliser many years ago, bringing this equipment to Port Macquarie. We were the first public hospital in the state to have this technology which was incredible for a regional hospital. It means we can use highly accurate and safe means to diagnose prostate cancer.”

Also proud of the ongoing support of the hospital was Trustee Jamie Bruce.

“We are proud to provide ongoing support to Port Macquarie Base Hospital with the donation of this Stepper Stabiliser to help ensure that our community has access to the best possible medical care,” he said.

“This latest donation underscores the Trust’s ongoing commitment to the health and wellbeing of the local community, enabling PMBH to continue delivering world-class care close to home.”

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