New X-ray equipment at the Healthcare Centre

 

By Susan Hofforth

 

 

Thanks to some recent purchases, it’s going to be easier all around to get an X-ray at the Whitecourt Healthcare Centre.

 

The Friends of Whitecourt Society were asked by the Healthcare Centre to purchase a new chair and an X-ray shield. It is very useful to have a chair, other than a wheelchair, to move patients from their rooms to the X-ray machine. This new chair is a multi-purpose chair, so it has many other uses around the Centre, but it is better than a wheelchair for X-ray purposes. The chair is strong and sturdy, with arms and a back so it can be used to move patients on, but the arms and back move down and out of the way easily so it does not have to be taken apart when it interferes with the X-rays. A wheelchair can’t be taken apart with a patient sitting in it. This chair is much more comfortable and convenient for all.

 

Another purchase was for an X-ray shield.  This shield hangs on a stand that can be wheeled close to the patient, not worn, and so is much more comfortable. The apron that was used in the past was heavy to wear and it was not one-size-fits-all. On some people it was too tight, or sometimes too loose and often had to be held in place. The shield doesn’t have to go on the patient, and so it is easier to manage as well.

 

The Healthcare Centre is very pleased with both items. Together the chair and shield had a cost of approximately $4,000.00. Funding to purchase items such items for the Centre is raised by the Friends of Whitecourt Society, through sales and donations at Repeat Boutique. Everyone involved would like to say a thank you very much to the volunteers at the Boutique, and to the people of Whitecourt who donate items to support the medical causes.