The cost of the $17,000 scanner was split between local Club Grants members Moama Bowling Club, Moama RSL and Rich River Golf Club.
The vital piece of equipment has been on the rehab wishlist for years - so it's no wonder the ward nurses can't wipe the smiles off their faces.
“My husband keeps asking me why I'm so excited about it,” rehab nurse unit manager Leona Smith laughed.
“But it's just so good for the patients, I can't help but be excited.”
Where the previous scanner used to be shared between three wards, often meaning patients had to walk up and down stairs to access it, the new scanner is for the rehab ward only.
There's even a sign on it that reads "bladder scanner is not to leave rehab" - just in case anyone forgets.
“It's a fabulous piece of equipment we can use to see what's in the bladder,” Ms Smith said.
“If patients can't go to the toilet, we can scan to see if there are any clots, debris, a mass, or something unusual to make us look at another test.
“It allows for first-line non-invasive treatment, whereas back in the old days they would have put a catheter in which was very invasive.”
The new scanner certainly won't go to waste, set to be used by at least one patient per day at an average of six times per patient.
And as it's state-of-the-art, local patients can rest assured they're getting the best service possible.
“The previous scanner had a variance of 17 per cent whereas this has a variance of 7 per cent. So it's much more precise,” Ms Smith said.
“Plus it's much sleeker and smaller and the scanner is detachable, so scans can easily be done in patients' rooms with privacy.”
Through the NSW Club Grants system, clubs make contributions to worthwhile projects and services in the community.
And for Moama RSL chief executive Ashley Menzies, this donation was a cause close to his heart.
“I recently experienced the rehab unit first-hand when my father-in-law was here for care. The work the rehab team does is just phenomenal,” he said.
ERH director of nursing June Dyson said the donation was an enormous help - particularly in the pricey business of public health.
“We have to weigh up every purchase of equipment we make, so to have the community raise funds for something like this makes an enormous difference,” she said.
“The work the team does in rehab is to help people return to pre-illness function. Anything we can do to help that along is fantastic.”
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