Once again, the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust has provided generous funding for the purchase of equipment to improve the comfort and safety of Noble’s Hospital patients with the donation of equipment to the value of approximately ?145,000.
 
Minister for Health, David Anderson MHK said: “These latest donations are testament to the lasting philanthropic legacy of Henry Bloom Noble.  Although the equipment is funded from recent bequests and donations, it demonstrates the spirit of generosity found in so many of those in our community over the past century and a quarter.  All of the new equipment will directly improve patient care, which is our primary goal.  Healthcare technology is continually advancing and keeping apace of these advancements is financially stretching; but donations such as this allow us to keep ahead of the game and bring in new advancements in equipment sooner than might otherwise have been possible.  My thanks to the Trust and all those who have contributed to its funds.”
 
• A Lifeport Patient Utility Loading System, which will assist with the movement of patients on and off the Air Ambulance.  In addition to improving the comfort and safety of patients and staff by reducing the need for excessive moving and handling of patients, the system also enables the Air Ambulance Service to be more independent because the system is compatible with all aircraft.  As an added benefit, the existing Aerosled system has been installed in one of the Isle of Man Post Office aircraft which can now act as a contingency between 11.00 and 17.00 each day, should a second Air Ambulance be required.
 
• A ‘Mini C Arm’ X-Ray system.  This piece of equipment enables Orthopaedic Surgeons to take x-rays of patients during surgical procedures in the Operating Theatre, without a Radiographer being present.  This allows Radiography staff to be available to other departments, especially Accident and Emergency, thereby reducing the amount of time these patients would have to wait for an x-ray.
 
• 4 additional Neonatal Patient Monitors for Neonatal Resuscitaires, which monitor oxygen saturation in newborn babies who have been resuscitated.  A dedicated monitor is now available for each resuscitaire, with the four new monitors bringing the total number in the Neonatal Unit to six.
 
• 6 Transcutaneous Bilirubinometers which detect jaundice in newborn babies, without having to take blood samples from them.  The early detection of jaundice is important so that treatment can be commenced as soon as possible and detection and treatment can now be carried out at the mother’s bedside or in the home.  The equipment reduces the workload of the Biochemistry Department, since no blood samples need to be sent for analysis.  The process of detection is also non-invasive and so is more comfortable for the baby.
 
• 2 Neonatal Phototherapy Units for the treatment of jaundice in newborn babies.  Phototherapy (light therapy) is a safe and accepted treatment for neonatal jaundice and this equipment enables treatment to be delivered to babies at the mother’s bedside, without having to admit the baby to the Neonatal Unit.
 
Bev Critchlow, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Therapies, said: “On behalf of Noble’s Hospital, I would like to express our appreciation to the Trustees of the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust for these extremely generous purchases.  Each piece of equipment will make a significant improvement to the comfort and safety of patients and staff.  The Trust has been supporting healthcare in the Isle of Man for 125 years and we are so fortunate to be the beneficiaries of this funding.”
 
Laurence Keenan, Chairman of the Trustees, said: “The Trustees, once again, are very pleased that they have been able to assist, funding the acquisition of the equipment which will deliver benefit to patients of different ages and standards of health.  We have only been able to do so through the generosity of those who have given life time donations or bequests in their wills.  It is my experience that those who do give, do so in recognition of the healthcare that they or their family and friends have received at Noble’s Hospital and wish to give something back in recognition.  Such purchases are that recognition.”

- Ends -