New patient lifts improve safety at Eston Health Centre

By Verna Thompson

Two new wall and ceiling lifts were recently installed in patient rooms at the Eston Health Centre’s long-term care wing.

Donated by the Dr. David S. Mulder Eston and District Health Foundation Inc., the track lifts support patient transfers, such as moving from bed to chair or wheelchair, while reducing the risk of injury for both staff and residents.

Lifting care forward Eston Health Centre facility manager Jocelyn Irvine, assisted by staff members Mona Antony, left, and Chris Mazzei, demonstrates one of two newly installed wall and ceiling lifts. The equipment was donated by the Dr. David S. Mulder Eston and District Health Foundation Inc. SUBMITTED

Each lift can hold up to 420 pounds, and two staff members must be present during transfers.

With this donation, there are now lifts in 11 of the 33 patient rooms, as well as in one of the tub rooms. Future plans include installing lifts in the remaining patient rooms.

Since its inception in 2019, the Foundation has been actively raising funds to provide needed equipment in Eston and at the Eston Health Centre. This includes the installation of three AED machines at local businesses and, at the Health Centre, a bladder scanner, a vital signs monitor, an ECG machine and, earlier this year, a new bathtub and lift.

The Foundation will mark its seventh anniversary in October with a gala dinner and entertainment by Tenors Galore, three local tenors who presented a well-attended concert last year in support of the Foundation.

At the October dinner, the trio — Clayton Braybrook, Brian Shauf and Laurie Thompson — will be joined by some of their musical friends.