When the Narromine Health Service needed a “stroke chair” to assist patients at its small central west NSW facility in 2022, the hospital auxiliary stepped up to the challenge and raised $4,500 from the local community to buy one.

No mean feat when you consider the average age of the 16-member Narromine Hospital Auxiliary is a robust 86.4 years (at last count!). 

The Western Plains App sat down with auxiliary treasurer, Julie Davis, and secretary, Anne Shearman, during National Stroke Week 2023 (August 7-13) to talk about the group’s purchase – which also embodies this year’s national theme encouraging the community to “fight stroke together” for better treatment and recovery outcomes.  

Mrs Davis said the Narromine Hospital Auxiliary did not hesitate to support the request when the need for a stroke chair was identified more than 12 months ago.  

“The hospital thought it would be a great asset to help move [patients in need] around. The nursing staff could certainly see a use for it. That’s when they approached us and we said yes, we would pick up the tab [when another offer to buy one fell through]. It was ordered but we had to wait several months for it to be delivered,” Mrs Davis said. 

Also known as “tilt-in-space chairs”, stroke chairs are special mobile medical devices resembling super-comfortable recliners, used for patients who have experienced a stroke or have limited mobility. The Narromine Hospital Auxiliary is pleased to share what it has learned about how the stroke chair assists local patients: 

• Pressure redistribution – changing the patient’s position reduces the risk of pressure sores 
• Postural support – adjustable posture options help where muscle weakness or paralysis have impacted patient posture 
• Oedema management – elevating the patient’s legs aids in managing swelling, or oedema. 
• Respiratory benefits – patient positioning helps reduce the risk of respiratory complications by improving lung function 
• Functional mobility – assists rehabilitation by transitioning patients from bed to seated positions 
• Ease of caregiving – feeding and hygiene are easier when patients are comfortably seated 
• Comfort – the chair is designed to help reduce patient pain and discomfort during recovery 
• Psychological wellbeing – being upright allows patient interaction with others and promotes independence, positively impacting their wellbeing.  

PHOTO: The stroke chair purchased through community donations to the Narromine Hospital Auxiliary. 

The beauty of the stroke chair is that its use is not limited to stroke patients.  

“It can also be used for other people with mobility issues,” said Mrs Davis. 

Ensuring maximum benefit can be derived from fundraising and providing accountability to the community are important responsibilities that auxiliary members take seriously, Mrs Davis said.  

“The money we collect is through people’s generosity and we’re only the custodians of it. It’s up to us to get value for every dollar that we spend of the public’s money,” Mrs Davis said. 

Secretary Anne Shearman, whose husband John is also a volunteer with the group, can identify the exact amount the Narromine Hospital Auxiliary has spent on items for the hospital in the past year – down to the cent!  

PHOTO: Anne and John Shearman (right) accept a certificate from Nathan Merchant and Brodie Powell from the Regional Australia Bank for a donation to the Narromine Hospital Auxiliary on August 2, 2023. 

“$28,682.55, to be exact,” she said with a smile. Purchases have included the stroke chair, a slit-lamp for dealing with eye injuries, four monitors, pressure-sensitive floor mats to alert staff if high risk patients fall from or leave their beds unexpectedly, over-toilet and toilet-commode chairs, shower chairs including one that tilts back to enable carers to wash patients’ hair, and steps to assist the physiotherapist to teach patients how to use their walkers.  

“The auxiliary also donated a syringe driver and a special light adapter to assist physical examinations carried out by the community nurses,” Mrs Shearman said. 

Both ladies and their hardworking team, led by president Daphne Johnson who is currently away, enjoy helping the community through their auxiliary work and seeing the benefits this brings.  

“It gives me great satisfaction to be able to help someone in times of need. That’s why I’m in the auxiliary,” Mrs Davis said. 

“Knowing [the stroke chair] is in our hospital for everybody to use and they can get comfort out of something we’ve provided is wonderful. Stroke can happen to anybody,” Mrs Shearman said. 

Further information about National Stroke Week and available support can be found on the Stroke Foundation website.