ESSEX CARDIOTHORACIC CENTRE

New equipment for CTC patients


Generous donations from community organisations and fund-raising efforts by staff have provided patients of the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre with valuable new equipment. The cardiac rehab team now has a dedicated ECG machine, thanks to former patient Alan Searle. Alan presented a submission to Basildon and Billericay Round Table groups, who approved a donation of £4,100 to purchase the machine.


Donna Jessup, Cardiac Rehab Sister, thanked representatives from the Round Table when they visited the CTC to see the new electrocardiogram (ECG) machine in place. She said: “It will be a great benefit to be able to assess patients immediately if they feel unwell or have chest pains when they are exercising. This is one of the latest models and is very small and portable. We are very grateful to the Round Table for providing this equipment.”


The local Hearts and Minds support group purchased three defibrillators for use in community exercise programmes for discharged patients.


Lita Freegard, cardiac rehab instructor, raised £1,320 for the cardiac units at the CTC and Southend Hospital by organising a sponsored walk for patients and families along Southend pier.