The late Andrew Jack has bequeathed $600,000 for a range of new equipment at Portland District Health.
ANOTHER organisation has benefited from a generous bequest by former Portland identity Andrew Jack.
Portland District Health’s (PDH) medical imaging department will receive $600,000 for a range of new equipment and upgrades.
Mr Jack, who died last year after a short illness, left instructions for his estate to be donated to support health, education and agricultural projects throughout the region.
A previous donation of $250,000 will aid the construction of the new Rotary House in Warrnambool.
PDH will use the money to purchase a new digital orthopantomogram (OPG) dental X-ray machine that provides panoramic scanning of the jaw and teeth.
The OPG machine is also capable of performing cone beam CT imaging of the dental and facial structures — a new technology used for dental implant planning and prior to facial surgery.
Chief radiographer Robin Parry said PDH medical imaging welcomed the announcement and it would greatly enhance the services provided.
“The addition of cone beam dental CT imaging will put PDH medical imaging at the forefront of dental imaging capability in the Western District,” Ms Parry said.
She said clients from across the Western District and beyond would be attracted to the specialised Portland cone beam CT service, which was otherwise unavailable in this area.
The generous bequest will also enable the reintroduction of fluoroscopy services, which use X-rays to obtain real-time moving images of internal structures. The hospital’s existing fluoroscopy machine is not functioning, meaning people have to travel to Mt Gambier or Warrnambool for service.
“This will enable us to re-establish a fluoroscopy service and it will also double as a second general X-ray machine,” Ms Parry said.
The hospital will buy a digital bone mineral density scanner to enable early detection and treatment of osteoporosis. The scanner includes a body composition assessment tool, measuring body fat, tissue and bone, enabling improved patient management.
A new digital image intensifier will also be purchased for use in the operating theatres.
Andrew Jack Trust member, Dr Kym Stock, said Mr Jack was a local farmer who left a lasting legacy for the region.
