30 April 2018

The Wanganui Eye and Medical Care Trust had great pleasure this week handing over to the Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) a new CT scanner for the Radiology Department and a YAG laser for the Ophthalmology Department, which together are valued at $1 million.

Over the years, the trust has provided the WDHB with close to $8 million worth of equipment which Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) chief executive Russell Simpson says has been an extraordinary, and much appreciated gift.

Mr Simpson and trust chairman Richard Moore paid tribute to the public and many charitable organisations who support the trust and make the donations possible.

“I particularly want to thank the Four Regions Trust (previously Powerco) which provided a very significant donation towards the newest CT scanner and YAG laser,” Mr Moore says.

The Wanganui Eye and Medical Care Trust was formed in 1989 for the purpose of helping the WDHB obtain essential medical equipment for the medical services they provide to the Whanganui region.

"The arrangement the Trust has with the WDHB is that any equipment acquired must only be used in the Whanganui region. This has been a major part of their marketing campaign when making appeals to the public,” Mr Moore says.

While the Wanganui Eye and Medical Care Trust was initially formed to provide essential eye equipment, its role has widened over the years to include the gifting of diagnostic equipment including MRIs and CTs.

The trustees include Matthew Doyle, PJ Faumui, Alan Mangan, Richard Moore, Warren Ruscoe, Mike Webber and Graham Wood who are unpaid volunteers.