THE Cooma Health Service is the beneficiary of some new and important hospital equipment made possible from generous donations by the Estate of the late Sandra McEwan, the Cooma Ex-Services Club and the Cooma Hospital Auxiliary.

Last Thursday equipment was officially handed over to the Health Service at the auxiliary monthly meeting.

Auxiliary president, Sue Litchfield, said members are very grateful for continued community support.

The equipment included two portable oxygen concentrators with carry bags and two plug in home concentrator units, thanks to the Cooma Ex-services Club and the late Sandra McEwan.

A bubble CPAP machine for maternity, a 42-litre microwave and Thermoscan Ear thermometer for the renal department and DR panel protectors for radiology were donated by Cooma Hospital Auxiliary.

Cooma GP, Dr David Learoyd, attended the presentation and expressed his deep gratitude for the items, especially the bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine.

"This bubble CPAP is absolutely fantastic," he said.

"The machine helps babies to breathe if their lungs haven't completely expanded. This is a simple, but, very clever device which will help babies ... we have been waiting for one of these machines for a long time.

"I can't tell you how much we appreciate the contribution to make it happen, it will make a big difference to us and it's just going to be fantastic and we really appreciate it a great deal," Dr Learoyd said.