Hospital beds, over-bed tables and medication trolleys are just some of the items making their way to Tonga from Royal North Shore and Hornsby hospitals following the devastation caused by the volcano eruption in January. 

Equipment is being sent to Vaiola Hospital in Tonga’s capital city Nuku’Alofa which was destroyed during the eruption.  

After speaking with Consul General of Tonga Louise Waterhouse, who is helping collect aid for the country, endocrinologist at Royal North Shore Hospital Professor Bruce Robinson contacted NSLHD Chief Executive Deb Willcox for support.

“Louise asked if there was any equipment that would be helpful for the hospital after this terrible disaster and thanks to Deb within 24 hours we managed to locate hospital beds, over-bed tables, medication trolleys, amongst other items to send,” he said. 

Bruce has had a relationship with Tonga dating back before the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games when he was the team doctor for the Tongan athletes. 

Twenty-five beds and mattresses from Hornsby Hospital are on their way to Vaiola Hospital with a further 40 over-bed tables, four medication trolleys, one bariatric wheelchair, one standard wheelchair, three sets of crutches and one electric examination table due to be collected and sent to Tonga in the coming weeks.