General News
29 September, 2026
Auxiliary buys ring cutter
Grampians Health Horsham’s Emergency Department medical team will have an easier time removing jewellery from swollen and damaged hands thanks to a donation from Wimmera Base Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.
Grampians Health Horsham’s Emergency Department medical team will have an easier time removing jewellery from swollen and damaged hands thanks to a donation from Wimmera Base Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.
The auxiliary donated $1435 to buy a fully adjustable electronic ring cutter designed to remove rings quickly and safely.
The money also covers the cost of an AlgerBrush 2 corneal rust ring remover.
Grampians Health Head of Emergency Dr Peter Carter said the device would help his team to complete their care more easily and quickly.
“Horsham’s ED team has only ever cut rings manually with a plier-like tool,” Dr Carter said.
“The new ring cutter features a flat metal protective guard that slides safely under the stuck ring, then a very small circular saw blade cuts through the metal.
“It will make our job so much easier and provide added comfort to the patient.
"The AlgerBrush 2 is used for removing metal stains on the eye surface after a metal foreign body has been removed.
“These stains can cause permanent visual impairment if left in place, so we are very grateful to the Ladies Auxiliary for their continued generous support.”
Retiring Auxiliary president Anne Stevens said her committee was pleased to support the Horsham campus with state-of-the-art equipment, no matter the size of the item.
Grampians Health Chief People Officer Claire Woods thanked the auxiliary for its continued support.
“We are always grateful for the generous donations from the auxiliary and the ring cutter has already been put to valuable use,” Ms Woods said.
“The auxiliary is now in its 102nd year of service to Wimmera Base Hospital and in the past 12 months, through its Opportunity Shop, has raised an incredible $110,000 to purchase important equipment for the Horsham campus.”