In a win for both education and the environment, 20 IV pumps and poles that could no longer be used at Grampians Health’s Horsham campus have been gifted to nursing students at Federation University.
The donation is part of Grampians Health’s ongoing commitment to sustainability – ensuring equipment is recycled and repurposed where possible, rather than sent to landfill.
Chief Redevelopment and Infrastructure Officer Veronica Furnier said she was pleased that this multidisciplinary approach would maximise the lifecycle of resources and minimise waste.
“Grampians Health is extremely pleased to donate the equipment which will now allow every nursing student in the classroom to have access to their own IV pump for hands-on training in the simulated clinical environment,” Ms Furnier said.
Environmental Sustainability Officer Sam Harris said the donation was a great example of sustainable thinking in action and a positive outcome for students and the environment.
“Recycling goes beyond just paper and plastics, it involves rethinking the value of all the materials we use. Since we launched our Environmental Sustainability Plan last year, it has been encouraging to witness both significant and minor strides towards transforming the linear take-make-dispose model into a more circular one,” Ms Harris said.
Federation University Diploma of Nursing Teacher Jane Dunn thanked Grampians Health for the donation, recognising the immediate impact it would have on student learning.
“Federation University currently has a number of IV pumps however, we’re extremely grateful for this generous gift. It’s going to make a huge difference during practical sessions, giving all students the chance to develop their skills individually using real clinical equipment,” Ms Dunn said.
By keeping valuable resources in use and out of landfill, the valuable partnership between Grampians Health and Federation University, is a reminder that small acts of sustainability can have a big impact, especially when it comes to shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals.
