Patient care carts powered by volunteers

Photo: Helen, Epworth Volunteer, Kylie Semple, Volunteer Manager and Scott Bulger, Epworth Medical Foundation Executive Director, with one of the patient care carts.

It’s a simple yet impactful concept brought to life – bright blue Patient Care Carts are a new addition to the corridors of Epworth Camberwell, Eastern, Freemasons, Epworth Geelong and Epworth Richmond.

Volunteers push the mobile carts through the wards every day, offering practical items like books, playing cards, colouring books, magnifiers, and more. The project is 100% funded by donors to the Epworth Medical Foundation.

Shares Kylie Semple, Volunteer Services Manager, “There’s no doubt that the presence of our volunteers provides emotional support and comfort for patients who may be immobile, or simply in need of a touch of normalcy during their hospital stay.”

A simple smile, a friendly conversation - it makes a remarkable difference!

In 2024, Kylie received an Epworth Medical Foundation Scholarship and attended the International Volunteer Leadership Conference in Houston, Texas. “During this experience, I had the opportunity to spend time with the volunteer team at Houston Methodist Hospital, where I witnessed their outstanding Patient Care Cart program in action.”

“With the support and encouragement of my manager, Scott Bulger, I was inspired to bring this initiative to life across Epworth and was successful in receiving an Innovation Grant, which has funded the introduction of this program.

“From wayfinding support to help patients and their loved ones navigate the hospital, providing transport to patients undergoing regular dialysis and oncology treatment, to supporting our Emergency Departments and sitting on our consumer advisory panels - volunteers make a significant difference,” says Kylie.

To learn more about the impact of philanthropy at Epworth, visit News and Stories.