The Department of Health is pleased to announce that, thanks to very generous funding provided by the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust, complicated joint replacement and revision surgery can now be undertaken on-Island at Noble’s Hospital. Up until now, patients requiring this type of surgery have had to be referred to UK hospitals. Approximately 30 people on the Island require this surgery per year. Following the appointment of Mr Ross Barker, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, the opportunity arose for this more complex orthopaedic surgery to be carried out at Noble’s Hospital, taking the service to this more advanced expert level for patients. Mr Barker has considerable experience in the field of prosthesis revision surgery and has been trained in one of the UK’s top centres. Providing this surgery in the Isle of Man will not only prove more cost-effective, but will also allow patients to have their operation closer to home, without the added anxiety and inconvenience of having to travel to UK hospitals. The funding provided by the Trust has allowed Noble’s Hospital to purchase the specialist equipment required to undertake these procedures. This funding was only made possible due to a generous bequest made to the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust from the Estate of the late Mrs Joan Eileen Huntingdon. Mrs Huntingdon moved to Isle of Man in December 1985 with two of her brothers following the death of her husband. She reportedly loved the Island and the wonderful quality of life it offered. During her lifetime, Mrs Huntingdon was interested in health and healthcare. She spent her latter years in Heathercliffe Residential home in Onchan and Anfield Manor in Douglas, where she passed away. Her niece and nephew, Mrs P J Rickett and Mr D Palmer were in attendance to represent her and present the equipment to Minister for Health, Mr David Anderson MHK, and Mr Barker. Mr Anderson, said, “We are extremely grateful to the Trustees of the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust for this substantial funding that will enable us to take our service forward and match the very best standards which have been set in the UK. Patient safety and comfort is always our first priority and this very positive development means that the Island’s patients who require complex revision hip surgery can be assured of the highest standards of care here on the Island. We are continuously reviewing the services provided to the people of the Isle of Man and ensuring we deploy our resources wisely to meet need on the Island when we can.” Mr Barker said, “Our patients will be delighted by this news. This significant donation provides us with the tools to perform “Gold Standard” joint replacement surgery here on the Island at Noble’s Hospital.” Mr Laurence Keenan, Chair of the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust, said “The Trustees are pleased to support this opportunity, which will allow patients to remain at home, rather than go off the Island for the operation and initial medical treatment. This will not only be better for the patient, their family and friends, but also will make significant financial savings for the Department of Health. A win all round. Such funding by the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust is only possible by the continued generosity of bequeaths and donations such as this from the Estate of Mrs Huntingdon. I would also like to thank Mr Palmer and Mrs Rickett for joining us at the presentation. Once again, we have another example of those monies given locally making a real difference to healthcare on the Island. Our gratitude goes to all those who give to our charity.” - ENDS -