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A generous donation is helping Epworth Richmond through one of its busiest times.
Melbourne businessman and owner of Footscray Market, PS Lee, has donated $360,000 to buy four portable ultrasound machines for the hospital.
Two of the Sonosite devices will be used in operating theatres, where there has been an increase in elective surgery this year, while the other two will be used in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit.
Epworth Richmond's Executive General Manager, Allison Evans, said the new equipment provided real-time images and observations of structures such as veins, nerves, arteries and organs.
"The ultrasound machines are invaluable," she said.
"They will be used across an array of specialities including anaesthetic procedures, diagnostic purposes, and insertion of patient monitoring devices."
The Melbourne hospital had a 34 percent increase in procedures across its 28 operating theatres and three cardiac catheterisation labs during the first three months of 2023.
It comes at a time when almost 70 percent of all elective surgery procedures in Australia are being performed in private hospitals.
Ms Evans said the purchase of the ultrasound machines would not have been possible without Mr Lee.
"Mr Lee is extraordinary in his support of Epworth," she said.
"He is one of our biggest donors, making a difference to the lives of our patients at Epworth Richmond.
"Operating theatres at this hospital are at capacity, and the donation of ultrasound equipment couldn't come at a better time."
Mr Lee said he had spent the past 20 years developing a close relationship with the hospital.
"We have a long-term, deep connection with the hospital and the staff," he said.
"It is wonderful to know that our support means we are making a difference to the care given to patients."
Read more: Hospital donation 'will make a fantastic difference'
Read more: $2.5M donation targets pandemic waiting lists
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