Impact & Completed Projects

2024/2025 Highlights

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the St Andrew’s Hospital Foundation contributed $1.5 million to fund the purchase of major medical equipment that will directly improve patient safety, surgical precision, and hospital efficiency.

Here's what we funded and how it helps:

Neurosurgical Microscope, $620,000

Because of you, our surgical team now has access to a second state-of-the-art ZEISS neurosurgical microscope. This technology enables an additional 240 complex spinal and brain procedures each year, helping us reduce wait times and deliver safer, more precise surgeries. It also supports advanced training and attracts top surgical talent, helping us build the future of neurosurgery, today. 

 

This cutting-edge system is already changing lives for patients with kidney stones and prostate conditions. The Dornier Thulio High-Power Laser delivers fast, precise, and less traumatic treatments, while the morcellator allows for the safe removal of tissue during prostate surgery. Together, these tools are speeding up recovery, shortening theatre time, and helping our patients return to life sooner. 

Thanks to your support, we’ve replaced our ageing ENT microscope with the ZEISS TIVATO 700, a next-generation system featuring crystal-clear 4K imaging and enhanced precision. It’s improving outcomes for patients undergoing delicate ear, nose, and throat procedures—and helping our ENT team perform with even greater confidence and efficiency. 

 

Thanks to donor generosity, we have introduced the BBraun InstacountPLUS, a digital system that tracks every surgical instrument from sterilisation through to patient use. This technology enhances patient safety by reducing infection risks, improving inventory management, and ensuring full compliance with new national standards, bringing our surgical services into the future with confidence and care. 

 
St Andrew’s Wellbeing Centre, $1.5 million (over 3 years)

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our private benefactors and partners like HPS Pharmacies, the St Andrew’s Wellbeing Centre is now a pioneering sanctuary within South Australia’s private hospital sector. Inspired by the compassionate approach of Maggie’s Centres, this calm, purpose-designed space offers free, non-clinical support to cancer patients and their loved ones. Through creative workshops, gentle movement classes, and emotional support, the Centre provides a welcoming environment that fosters connection, resilience, and dignity—helping people navigate their treatment journey with strength and hope. This meaningful space continues to evolve with the guidance of patients and families, ensuring it remains a place of true comfort and wellbeing. 

During one of the toughest times in healthcare, the Foundation made an unrestricted $25,000 COVID Impact donation, delivered by our volunteers and received by CEO Stephen Walker. This gift supported our hospital teams during an incredibly challenging period.

This heartfelt appeal raised over $90,000 to support our nurses through education, wellbeing initiatives, training, and essential equipment. These funds directly strengthen the care that touches thousands of lives each year.

Thanks to the long-standing support of the Pink & Blue Swim, a new break room for cancer patients was created, offering a welcoming, calming space during treatment. This project is part of a continued legacy of support for breast care at St Andrew’s.

Faxitron Systems for Breast Cancer Surgery
Thanks to generous support from our 2021 appeal, the hospital purchased two Faxitron Specimen Radiography Systems. These advanced tools give surgeons high definition clarity during breast cancer surgery, helping remove just the right amount of tissue, reducing anaesthetic time, and improving both recovery and outcomes.

Emergency Department Ultrasound
A new compact ultrasound machine was funded for our Emergency Department, allowing for rapid bedside diagnosis of life threatening conditions such as collapsed lungs or internal bleeding. With a dedicated machine on hand, our emergency team can act faster when every second counts.

Paediatric Ward Upgrade
With the help of our 2020 Annual Appeal donors, we raised $78,500 to improve care for our youngest patients. A new on site bathroom was added to the paediatric ward — an essential upgrade that brings dignity and comfort to families when they need it most.

Staff Cafeteria Redevelopment
Thanks to a generous bequest, the staff cafeteria was completely refurbished with new appliances, furniture, cabinetry and flooring. It is now a modern, welcoming space where staff and volunteers can rest and recharge during breaks.

Gamma Probe for Breast Cancer Surgery
Funds raised by the Pink and Blue Swim Walk enabled the purchase of a gamma probe for breast cancer surgery. This tool helps surgeons accurately locate and remove only the necessary lymph nodes, reducing complications and supporting better patient outcomes.

IV Training Arm for Nurse Education
To support safe and effective care, we funded a realistic IV training arm to help nurses build confidence and skill in cannulation. This hands on tool allows for safe practice and better preparation for real world scenarios.

Patient Lounge Refurbishments
Across the second, third and fourth floors, patient lounges were refreshed with new artwork, furniture, and improved lighting. These shared spaces give patients and families a calm place to connect, rest, or speak privately with care teams.

Recliner Chair for Critical Care
A new fully adjustable recliner chair was added to the Critical Care Unit, helping patients safely sit upright during recovery. These chairs are designed for comfort, mobility, and support during some of the most vulnerable stages of care.

Breast Cancer Treatment Room and Care Supplies
Thanks to the Pink and Blue Swim Walk, a dedicated treatment room was created on the third floor for breast cancer patients. This private, purpose built space supports counselling, wound and drain care, and the fitting of post operative garments and prostheses. It provides comfort, dignity and personalised care during a challenging time.

Chemotherapy Treatment Chairs
Funds from our 2019 Annual Appeal enabled the purchase of four custom treatment chairs for the Chemotherapy Suite. Designed with patient comfort in mind, these chairs feature powered height adjustment, memory settings, hand controls and built in trays—making long treatment sessions as restful and supported as possible.

Rooftop Garden, Eastern Clinical Development
A generous Foundation donation helped create a beautiful rooftop garden as part of the new Eastern Clinical Development. Opened in early 2018, this peaceful outdoor space gives patients and families a chance to step outside, breathe fresh air, and find calm during their recovery.

da Vinci XI Surgical Robot
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Mr Gordon Pickard AM, the hospital acquired the da Vinci XI Surgical Robot. This technology transformed the way surgery is performed at St Andrew’s, especially in urology, ENT, colorectal, gynaecology, and general surgery. St Andrew’s now leads South Australia in robotic surgery across both public and private sectors.

Second Training Console – da Vinci Surgical Robot
With continued philanthropic support, including from Mr Gordon Pickard AM, the hospital acquired a second training console for the surgical robot. This has enabled more complex procedures, dual-surgeon training, and enhanced outcomes — including South Australia’s first prostate and bladder removal and bladder reconstruction.

Blanket Warmer, Chemotherapy Suite
Warm blankets can make a world of difference during treatment. Thanks to a generous donor, a new large capacity blanket warmer was purchased for the chemotherapy suite, helping patients feel more comfortable and cared for during their sessions.

Cold Cap, Chemotherapy Suite
Hair loss is often one of the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy. With donor support, we were able to purchase an additional cold cap — advanced technology that cools the scalp and reduces blood flow to hair follicles, significantly lowering the risk of hair loss for patients.

iPads, Chemotherapy Suite
Two generous supporters enabled the purchase of iPads for each treatment chair in the chemotherapy suite. These devices support both patient comfort and clinical care — allowing staff to access real-time medical information, and patients to listen to music, meditate, or read about their treatment.

O-Arm 2
Through donor support, the hospital acquired the O-Arm 2 imaging system — cutting-edge technology that provides real-time 3D imaging during surgery. It is critical for cranial procedures and is now also used in orthopaedic and spinal surgery, supporting safer and more precise outcomes.