The machine allows for quick detection of possible heart failure and allows for the commencement of the earliest possible appropriate treatment by doctors.

It measures blood gas levels and quickly indicates changes that will respond better to immediate interventions and treatments.

With the cost of the machine at $13,500 the job of raising the money was too much for the auxiliary ladies, so the community was called on to help.

“It’s been a long trek but the Lions, Rotary and Apex clubs of Dungog came on board as well as Dungog RSL Club,” auxiliary president Bev Irwin said.

“And the community also helped by giving us donations and supporting our fundraising events.

“It’s the biggest project we have ever embarked on and knew we couldn’t do it alone.

“We really appreciate having the service clubs on board – we couldn’t have done it without their assistance.”

The Dungog branch of the auxiliary was reformed in 1987, and despite only having 14 members, has donated between $7000 and $8000 worth of equipment to the hospital for the last two years.

This has included chairs for the emergency department, patients and visitors, over-bed tables, cabinets, and in previous years, electric beds.

The group has three fundraisers a year – Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and their giant Christmas stocking.

Dr Duncan Dew, who was very supportive of the group’s fundraising venture, said the machine has made a “big difference”.

Dr Dew contacted the Chronicle on Monday morning, saying the machine had its first use during the early hours of Sunday morning.

“An elderly lady was brought to the hospital and we were able to diagnose the problem after using the machine,” he said.

“It saved a middle-of-the-night trip in the ambulance to Maitland Hospital.

“It’s been useful already.”