WRVS donates more than £50,000 for new gynaecology equipment
| Published: 25th September 2008 23:47 |
Gynaecology patients will have a more comfortable experience thanks to money donated by the WRVS to buy the latest equipment. The donation of more than £50,000 has paid for a bariatric gynaecology examination chair, a hi-tech scanning machine and computer software equipment.
Jane Thomas, Head Clinical Nurse and Gynaecology Matron, said: "The bariatric examining chair gives the patient more dignity and privacy and allows them to relax as they are comfortable and feel secure; while the scanner allows us to diagnose problems as soon as patients come into the Emergency Unit. It means we can treat the condition without any delays waiting for a scan. Both pieces of equipment are invaluable to the service we provide, so we really do appreciate everything the WRVS have done. Without their support it would not have been possible."
The examination chair is being used in the One Stop Menstruation Disorder Clinic, a new weekly clinic which started at the beginning of September.
The Clinic treats women suffering with heavy or irregular periods, or bleeding after the menopause. Until now the patient would have to attend the hospital on three separate occasions for a consultation, ultrasound scan and a hysteroscopy. The new Clinic is fully equipped so everything can be done in one appointment.
The chair can take up to 36 stone in weight, is controlled electronically and is fully automated. It allows the patient to sit and relax in the chair as it moves gently into the gynaecology examination pose. This keeps the patient's dignity and comfort throughout the examination.
The new scanner and the accompanying software, allows consultants and nurses in the Gynaecology Emergency Unit to scan a patient's pelvic organs and speed up the diagnosis of any problems.
The hi-tech scanner is worth over £38,000 and has proved to be a very valuable piece of equipment to the team. It is especially important for women with early pregnancy related problems or women with suspected ectopic pregnancy, (when the foetus grows outside the womb) which can be a life threatening condition.
Joseph Emeagi and Yatin Thakur, both Obstetrician Gynaecology Consultants, who support the Senior Nurses in the Emergency Gynaecology Unit, regularly use the scanner in emergency situations, as well as for routine appointments.
Chris Hall, WRVS Manager, said: "If a hospital department needs a new piece of equipment, we will do our best to help them get it. £50,000 isn't a lot of money when you see how important the pieces of equipment are to the staff and the patients."
Visitors to the two WRVS shops at Basildon University Hospital do not realise that by simply buying a newspaper, they are helping support their local hospital. Chris adds: "Even though we might be slightly more expensive than Tesco, all the money we raise goes back into the hospital and the local community. The WRVS is a fantastic place to work and the people who volunteer here are "Angels in Disguise" because they all give up their free time. Without them it just doesn't work."
The WRVS always needs more volunteers to help out in their shops. Anybody with four hours spare a week and who wants to know more, can call Chris on 01268 593392.
Photo caption: L to R; Sarah Ward, Senior Clinical Support Worker; Jessie Rawlinson, Sister; Jane Thomas, Matron; Barbara Humberstone, WRVS Volunteer; Esther Kuria, Sister; Chris Hall, WRVS Manager and WRVS volunteers, Vicky Robins, Jan Royal and Jan Merriman.
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