Two new ECG machines are set to make a life-saving difference to young patients in Grimsby and Scunthorpe, thanks to supporters of a local charity.
The machines have been provided by Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) – who are funded solely by public donations – and are already up and running at both Scunthorpe General Hospital and Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.
Electrocardiography (ECG) machines give vital information to clinicians about a patient’s heart rhythm and are used to monitor and diagnose cardiac conditions.
Previously there was no specific ECG machine for the paediatrics and neonatal departments at Scunthorpe, and the existing machine at Grimsby needed replacing.
The equipment is crucial for acute CHD patients where a diagnosis is urgently needed, and to record a patient’s ECG data at critical times
Consultant Cardiologist Sandeep Kapoor says the ECG machines will be used for children from 0 to 16 years of age, and many young patients at each hospital would benefit. He said:
“Currently we have to borrow an ECG machine from our A&E department which can mean a delay of several hours. Having our own ECG machine in the paediatrics and neonatal department will help our babies and children with a heart condition get a timely diagnosis. It will also help in monitoring heart rhythms while we give cardiac drugs to some children.”
CHSF’s mission is to care for the heart, mind, family and future of congenital heart disease patients (CHD) across our region. 1 in 125 babies are born with CHD in the UK, and over 17,000 patients of all ages are cared for by the CHD regional network every year.
The charity is based near the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit – the region’s specialist centre for patients with congenital heart defects – but also supports 19 outreach hospitals including Scunthorpe and Grimsby.
CHSF have also funded a Children’s Cardiac Nurse Specialist to work specifically at Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospitals.
Nurse Nikki Meanwell complements the resident paediatricians, by helping local CHD patients and their families following diagnosis, or further along the treatment journey, without them having to travel into Leeds.
She also works to provide a link between the local hospital and the specialist Leeds Unit, and can help families access further support from CHSF which can include financial, emotional and practical support from the charity’s Family Support Workers.
The provision of a specialist cardiac nurse in Grimsby and Scunthorpe is in addition to similar roles funded by CHSF which are already up and running in Sheffield, Bradford and Calderdale.
CHSF’s CEO Heidi Watson says both the ECG machines and cardiac roles illustrate the charity’s commitment to the whole region’s CHD patients:
“The new ECG machines will make a hugely positive difference to the diagnosis and treatment of future CHD patients in Grimsby and Scunthorpe, and further enhance the fabulous care given by these hospitals. We would like to thank our supporters, whose donations continue to make projects like this possible.”
“CHSF exists to ensure everyone with CHD across Yorkshire, the Humber, North Lincolnshire and North Derbyshire receives the best treatment possible. Although the region’s specialist unit is based in Leeds, we are excited to be able to provide care closer to home by funding local nurses with expertise in congenital heart disease.”
You can make a donation to help further CHSF’s life-saving work across the region here.
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