Looking after hearts across Scunthorpe

Local charity Cardiac Rehabilitation Interest Group, known as CRIG, has purchased new equipment for the cardio-respiratory department at Scunthorpe General Hospital.

CRIG fundraises throughout the year in order to support people who have a cardiac illness and provide resources for the hospital.

CRIG recently purchased a care trolley and five life card holter recorders for the department.

The care trolley is used to organise equipment when carrying out procedures. Previously cardiac physiologists would have to go through numerous boxes in a store cupboard to get everything prepared in time for when they see the patient, now they simply wheel out the trolley which is small and easy to use. It has already saved numerous hours of nurses time, made things tidier in the department and made carrying out procedures much easier.

The five life card holter recorders cost £6,500, are used to monitor patients with heart conditions. The recorder is a portable device that is attached with wires to patient’s chests. Inside is a small microchip that records the heart beat which can be used to find any irregularities. The microchip is then put into the computer and can be easily read by doctors and nurses.

Mickie O’Toole, chair of CRIG said: “We are delighted to present the department with this equipment, we are all either patients of the department or have relatives who have been a patient here. It means so much to us to be able to fundraise for pieces of equipment that can help the staff and future patients."

Liz Tilley, chief cardiac physiologist of the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are so grateful to CRIG for purchasing this equipment for us and helping us to make a real difference to our patients.”