EGHS unit named in honour of Jason Bond

A newly redeveloped Perioperative Unit named in honour of the late Jason Bond has been officially opened at East Grampians Health Service.

The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch has raised $150,000 towards the project.

Jason Bond was just four weeks into his training at the Victoria Police Academy when he died in a motor vehicle collision in March 2011.

The Bond family attended the opening with brother Brad, also a serving Victoria Police officer, cutting the ribbon to officially open the unit.

Manager of perioperative services at EGHS Jane Smith said the health service was grateful to the Ararat Branch of the Blue Ribbon Foundation for its donation which has allowed the facilities to be improved for patients during their surgical experience.

The Perioperative Unit consists of two operating theatres, the day procedure unit, sterilising service, pre admission department and dialysis unit.

“We now conduct over 2000 elective and emergency surgical procedures and over 1700 dialysis treatments each year,” Ms Smith said.

“The unit has 36 employees which includes nurses, instrument technicians, ward clerks, theatre technicians and support services staff.

“All but a handful of patients requiring elective surgery are admitted to the hospital in the day procedure unit.

“Up until a few years ago we would average seven or eight patients admitted each day for surgery in the one theatre. We now operate in two theatres several days a week. This can mean up to 25 patients are admitted, prepared for theatre, operated on, recovered and discharged in a single day.

“The improvements have created a work flow within the unit that allows a more efficient journey for patients.”

Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch president Terry Weeks said the Ararat Branch over the past 15 years has created a living memorial in the name of Sergeant John McNally who was killed on the Ararat goldfields in 1856.

Mr Weeks said now the Ararat branch was moving forward into a new era of creating a living memorial within East Grampians Health Service in the name of Jason Bond.

“In 2015 our branch made a pledge that we would fund the refurbishment of the perioperative area in the hospital under the banner of the Jason Bond Perioperative Unit,” he said.

“We have now reached that target.

“Jason unfortunately did not fulfil his dream of becoming a police member serving the community of Victoria, however, his legacy will live on and continue to serve the community of Ararat within this facility.”

Mr Weeks presented a cheque for $30,000 to EGHS Board president Matthew Wood towards the project.

The Ararat Branch has now donated more than $800,000 to various projects at the health service over the past 15 years.

Pictured above: Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat Branch president Terry Weeks presents a cheque for $30,000.00 to East Grampians Health Service Board Chairman Matthew Wood towards the Jason Bond Perioperative Unit project

Pictured above (L-R): Danielle, Michael, Lyndee and Brad Bond with East Grampians Health Service Board Chairman Matthew Wood