The head of obstetrics at Albury Wodonga Health says new equipment purchased with a donation from the SS&A has the potential to save lives.

With $90,000 given by the club, AWH was able to purchase a general electric Voluson ultrasound machine.

It is a first for the Wodonga maternity ward and replaces a fixed, outdated machine which was slow to use and provided a far less clear picture.
Dr Simon Craig described the Voluson as “state-of-the-art”.
“This is what modern obstetrics in Australia is all about,” he said.
“Most obstetric units of our size would have one or more of this style.
“It’s a clearer picture and better information.
“This very generous donation makes a huge difference, and it might save lives.”
Operational Director of Women’s and Children’s Services Julie Wright said it provided extra information.
“For a midwife, to be able to listen to the heart rate and see the baby moving is great, but also, looking at the way the blood flows in the cord can give you information about the health of the baby,” she said.
“The other machine couldn’t pick up that detail.
“For a clinician making a decision … that information is really powerful.”
Paediatric nurse unit manager Samantha Peet said $35,000 had also been given to update Albury Hospital’s forensic medical equipment.
“We’ve had a strong relationship with them – their upgrading of the central monitoring system (in 2018) has allowed us to be able to monitor those really sick kids closely, and when we’re out of the rooms, gives reassurance to us and the families,” she said.
“The new forensic medical equipment has made the room a little bit less intimidating because the equipment is not as bulky.
“Without the SS&A’s support, it’s probably something that we would not have had for a long, long time.
“Forensic medicine is not an easy topic to talk about, but we spoke with the board, and they were fantastic.”
SS&A chief executive Gerard Darmody was glad to know the donation would improve operations for the hospital.
“As Sam mentioned, the process can be traumatic enough – to have a procedure that can be done in a way that reduces that a little bit, is great,” he said.
Mr Darmody said the ultrasound was the third piece of equipment donated.
“We’ve been proud to partner with AWH with the support of our members and the local community,” he said.
Club president Eddie Dunlop said all four of his grandkids had been born at the Wodonga ward.
“We know how important it is for them to have this,” he said.