The cardiothoracic critical care unit at The James Cook University Hospital recently received a brand-new £72,000 echo machine with transoesophageal probe thanks to a generous donation from the South Cleveland Heart Fund.
It will also help to detect blood clots and heart defects and play a crucial role in supporting clinicians to carry out real-time monitoring during heart operations for critically ill patients.
The South Cleveland Heart Fund is run entirely by volunteers who host regular fundraising campaigns to provide essential support to patients and their families receiving care in the heart unit at James Cook as well as helping to purchase vital medical equipment.
Adrian Davies, chairman of the South Cleveland Heart Fund said:
We are delighted to have been able to provide this state-of-the-art piece of equipment to enhance excellent post operative care in our cardiothoracic intensive unit.
“Our aim is to help keep the heart unit at the leading edge of patient care and thanks to so many generous donations, we have been able to do. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our fundraising campaigns so far, your support really does make a difference.”
Adrian presented the new machine to specialist cardiothoracic anaesthesia and critical care consultants, Dr Mahesh Balakrishnan and Dr Johnathon Brand, who work within the cardiothoracic critical care unit at James Cook.
Dr Jonathan Brand said: “We are incredibly grateful to the South Cleveland Heart Fund. The addition of the echo machine with transoesophageal probe will significantly enhance our ability to deliver timely, accurate, and life-saving care to critically ill patients in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit.
It represents not only a leap forward in diagnostic capability, but a powerful reminder of the impact that meaningful partnerships can have on patient outcomes and clinical development.”