A You (and much more) for All of Us!
Comedian Jimmy Tarbuck popped into Epsom General Hospital recently – and made a serious bit of business great fun. He was in the Urology Department to present a “new toy”, a £10,975 TULA Laser Machine on behalf of Epsom Medical Equipment Fund. The comic heard from Consultant, Deji Akiboye how this new treatment for bladder cancer helps treat cancers without the need for sedation or anaesthetic. Patients come in and have their condition treated, pain free and walk out of hospital in less than one hour. The consultant added: “We use this laser to fry abnormal areas in the bladder which are cancerous. “With this treatment, it means we can do away with all those things and treat people far more quickly, painlessly and let them get back to normal living faster. Charlotte Druce, General Manager, Surgery & Endoscopy Surgery Directorate, Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust thanked EMEF organiser, Bess Harding for helping to make this particular dream come true. Bess added: “With the support of the local community, we raised the money for the TULA which is an important part of the treatment”.
Welcome Hal - Paediatric training at Epsom Hospital gets a boost with a new family member
The Epsom Medical Equipment Fund kindly gifted a £41,000 high-fidelity paediatric mannequin named Hal to support the delivery of paediatric simulation training at Epsom Hospital. Hal can talk, cry, move his head and eyes, change facial expressions, breath and is compatible with ventilators and ultrasound machines in the hospital. Dr Jennifer Blair, Consultant Anaesthetist and Simulation Lead: “This new addition to our mannequin family will significantly improve the quality of the paediatric training and education and give staff an invaluable opportunity to train as a team in emergency situations. We look forward to using HAL on our paediatric courses, the learning it will generate, and the benefits he will bring to our paediatric patients.” The Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Steve Bridger made the presentation and unveiled the plaque welcoming Hal.
Laura Tardello from Topo Gigio, Ewell presents £24,000 Cryoflex machine on behalf of Epsom Medical Equipment Fund to Dr. Andrew Gregory, Chairman and retired Consultant Radiologist to pass onto EGH.
During a recent visit to Topo Gigio in Ewell, owner, Laura Tardella was asked to present the replica cake of the machine to the Fund’s Chairman, Dr. Andrew Gregory. The machine is already in situ at Epsom General Hospital and is very heavy hence the replica cake, taking its place for the occasion.
This £24,000 Cryo machine allows doctors to treat a variety of painful musculoskeletal conditions. Following needle puncture of the skin specially designed probes are passed through the needle and directed to the target area by ultrasound. The probe then delivers a localised area of freezing at its tip, bringing relief from pain which can be temporary or permanent depending on the condition. The treatment is minimally invasive and safe and, in some conditions, can be used as an alternative to conventional surgery.’
Future Mums bless fund raising children, again!
Youngsters at Ewell Grove Primary and Nursery School have done it again after classes decided to organise their own entertainment programme to raise money for EMEF. This was the start needed to launch an appeal for the GE Ultrasound Scanner required by the Labour Ward theatre in Maternity at Epsom. With their parents backing them, they succeeded in raising nearly £1,000. Last year they decided to repeat the magnificent feat – this time they brought a magnificent £1,132 which started the appeal off with a flying start. This week the school was invited to present the GE Ultrasound scanner to Dr. Dickson Osagie. The school set the children a project to decide who would represent the school. There were eight lucky winners who visited the hospital with headteacher Mrs Kate Keane. “They were excited to learn the function of the Ultrasound scanner and how it works,” said Mrs Keane.
Dr Osagie added “We were very lucky to have an ultrasound donated to us by EMEF. It is a £27,500 piece of equipment. The Labour Ward theatre did not have its own dedicated ultrasound for the anaesthetic team to use. Donating this machine has gone a long way in improving the care we give to pregnant women in the hospital as it will help us to be able to put in difficult cannulas, also when epidural for pain relief is difficult to perform, the ultrasound helps make this easier.“
Holter Recorder ECG for Ashley Centre Surgery
Bess Harding from Epsom Medical Equipment Fund was pleased to present two Faros 180 Single Channel Waterproof rechargeable ambulatory ECG Holter Recorders at Ashley Centre Surgery to Health Care Assistant, Angela.
The Holter Recorder ECG is used to monitor patients presenting with cardiac conditions and symptoms over a period of 24, 48 or 72 hours. Patients can wear it for 1, 3, 5 or 7 days whichever is needed. The surgery has been using this type of investigation for 10 years but existing equipment has now reached the end of its life. This Holter Recorder is the latest in technology and will play a vital role in speeding up the waiting time for patients needing this service which is a major part of the practice.
Readings are available instantly and are usually reviewed by a UK based and trained cardiac physiologist within 24 hours. The report is then sent to the surgery for the GP to see.
£27,500 GE Venue Go R4 Ultrasound Scanner for Epsom Hospital's Main Operating Theatre
Karen Geleit set the ball rolling to enable Epsom Medical Equipment Fund to purchase a £27,500 GE Venue GO R4 ultrasound machine for the Main Operating Theatre at Epsom General Hospital.
Karen held a Charity Fashion Show which was at Redhill Golf Club to raise funds for the Theatre department of Epsom General Hospital. . Karen said “It was a pleasure to present the scanner, a very proud moment for me. I was able to send a message to all the ladies that attended the Fashion Show, which was great I’m so pleased it all came to fruition in the end”.
Dr. Dickson Osagie. Anaesthetist in the Main Theatre said “We were very lucky to have an ultrasound machine donated to us by the Epsom Medical Equipment Fund , this £27,500 GE ultrasound machine is a step up on the old machine that we had in the main theatre of Epsom hospital, this new machine will enable us to carry out many more procedures like helping to get in an intravenous cannula for a patient, to be able to give patients medicines when they are sick especially if it’s a difficult drip to insert , also helps us to be able to perform regional techniques to help with pain relief after surgery.
Carollers on song for hospital rescue!
Big-hearted choirs including schools have been praised for staging a tremendous effort to raise money for a vital piece of medical equipment. From St Christopher’s, Shawley Primary Academy, St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary, West Ewell Primary, Stamford Green Primary, Riverview Road CofE Primary, St. Martin’s CofE schools, along with adult choirs Downsmen Barber Shop, Epsom Choral Society, Epsom Male Voice Choir, St. Joseph’s Church Choir, and the Songbird’s, they descended on the Ashley Shopping Centre and Epsom Market Place to sing their hearts out to raise money to help Epsom Medical Equipment Fund.
The echocardiograph costing £59,500 was presented to Dr. Adam Carter by representatives from the choirs, Jacqui McGeehan and Sonia Pereira-Polido, Ashley Centre.
Dr Carter said: “The Children’s Echocardiography machine is a special ultrasound scanner that allows us to image the hearts of babies, infants and children through to teenagers. A baby’s heart measures barely the size of a walnut and requires specialised probes and equipment to help us view the heart from the outside by ultrasound. This helps to diagnose underlying heart conditions such as a ‘hole in the heart’, obstructions to blood flow or problems with the heart valves.”
Glidescope presented to HDU by John Kerwood and Clive Lane from the Famous Green Man on behalf of their customers and Tony Hill in memory of his wife, Joan
The £15,117 Glidescope was made possible by money raised by customers of John Kerwood and Clive Lane at The Famous Green Man in Ewell and a generous donation of £745 by Tony Hill in memory of his wife, Joan Hill. John, Clive and Tony were delighted to be able to present this Glidescope to HDU on behalf of Epsom Medical Equipment Fund. Linda Hay, HDU said “ We are very grateful for the donation and the support given to HDU.”
Members of staff of HDU said “The windpipe is in front of the food pipe and in order to keep it safe,( in patients who are unconscious by disease or with medicines) a tube called the endotracheal tube is inserted into it through the mouth . In some patients , this is easy to see, while in others, it is not. For a complicated intubation a GlideScope is required . This allows visualisation of the airway allowing a safe intubation and is the gold standard for complicated airway management. “The GlideScope also helps us to visualise parts of the tracheobronchial tree (lungs) to diagnose tumours , suction mucous plugs ,take biopsies, helping to diagnose and treat at the same time . Many thanks in providing us with an essential device and making our work space safer.”
Climbing up the wall
Lee Bartlett, Manager and Brenda Crosby, Senior Team Leader from The Station Public House, Stoneleigh Broadway descended upon The Poplars at West Park, where Physio is currently located to present a delighted Anna Keohgerian, MSK Physiotherapy Team Leader with a whole range of equipment for patients following surgery and needing rehabilitation or treatment.
Anna Keoshgerian, MSK, Physiotherapy Team Leader at The Poplars said “the Physiotherapists have been using old and minimal gym equipment for many years, much of this equipment was slowly having to be scrapped due to being broken or unsafe. ‘ They had been unable to obtain any charitable funding for replacement equipment. A request was made to Epsom Medical Equipment Fund to try to rectify this problem after years of being rejected by other charitable funds. Anna went on to say “we are truly grateful to Bess Harding, Epsom Medical Equipment Fund who with the support and help of Lee Bartlett, Manager and Brenda Crosby, Senior Team Leader and staff from The Station Public House, Stoneleigh Broadway.
Heartfelt legacy is real life-saver
Epsom General Hospital have rolled out two devices to help support sudden cardiac arrest victims. One of the two AutoPulse machines was donated by Epsom Medical Equipment Fund (EMEF) using £10,000 from the late John Kenneth Steer. “They keep the compressions going whilst emergency response teams attend to patients’ other needs, such as getting air into the lungs or administering defibrillation and medications to restart the heart,” explains Clinical Matron, Tracy Ascensao. The purpose of the AutoPulse is it can provide consistent CPR over long periods of time which supports nursing staff to continue with other tasks and would be used to reduce the impact of rescuer fatigue.
The £10,000 donation is a very generous donation bequeathed by John Kenneth Steer and brother and sister-in-law Christopher and Julie Steer travelled from Henlow, Bedforshire to present the AutoPulse to Clinical Matron, Tracy Ascensao where they were given a demonstration of the device using a mannequin as patient. “The Emergency Department staff in Epsom General Hospital are enormously grateful for the donation of two of these devices to the ED department,” adds Tracy Ascensao. Tracy explained the potential of reducing staff needed to manage cardiac arrest was rest of A&E is being looked after.
Chris and Julie Steer said They feel their late brother's money was well spent. They said “the legacy he left will benefit the local community which he would have been very proud to know”.
Christmas is a time of giving, not receiving
Ewell Grove Primary and Nursery School lived up to this statement when every Year Group had a Christmas concert following all government guidelines including social distancing. Donations were asked for and these donations were given to Epsom Medical Equipment Fund. This enabled Epsom Medical Equipment Fund to purchase an Edan Vital Signs Monitor and stand costing £986 and a special wheelchair at £449.
Youngsters from Ewell Grove Primary and Nursery School’s dream came true when on a nice sunny May morning, Bess Harding of Epsom Medical Equipment Fund asked them to present the Vital Signs Monitor and special wheelchair to the Pre-Ops Unit. Head Teacher, Kate Keane, along with ten year old Elaine Matthew and Alfie Garner who are role models for the school visited the Pre-Operative Unit at Epsom General Hospital to present the vital signs monitor and wheelchair to Sisters, Debbie Fox, Eliseo Bote, Bridget Lynch, Wendy Cook and Dr. Tasneem Katawala, Consultant Anaesthetist who were delighted to receive this equipment which will be a great asset to the department..
Cycling Back to Health
Epsom Medical Equipment Fund were able to purchase a much 
£2,199 Recumbent Exercise Bike for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit at Epsom General Hospital thanks to Mrs. Jo Stein and generous donations made in memory of her husband, Alfred Stein. It was a coincidence that her husband had needed the unit a few years back and had been looked after by Mary Evans, Cardiac Rehab Clinical Nurse Specialist and Steve Pomroy, Cardiac Rehab Physical Activity Specialist who remembered him well Mary Evans explained that "Cardiac rehabilitation at Epsom Hospital has always been inclusive of all ages and cardiac conditions, including heart attacks, bypass surgery, valve surgery, heart failure and heart transplants. This bike will enable safe, comfortable and effective exercise for those patients who have reduced mobility and will enhance the programme provided to them.”
Chattagnooga Shockwave Machine will benefit many patients in need of treatment which will help promote the body's healing process.
Shockwave devices are used to treat a wide range of clinical in
dications such as Achilles Tendinopathies, Plantar Fasciitis, Rotator Cuff Tendinopathies and Myofascial Trigger Points. Thanks to former Councillor, Tina Mountain whose generous donation helped make this £8,000 equipment possible with Jimmy Hendry, Plaster Room, EGH and Bess Harding, EMEF.
Jimmy Hendry, Manager, in the Plaster Room at Epsom General Hospital “thanked Bess Harding for all her help in getting the new shockwave machines as they will be a big help to the patients they treat in the department as well as giving a lot of pain relief.”
Tina Mountain presenting the Portable Shockwave Machine to Plaster Room
Craig Wilson, Clinical Product Specialist at DJO UK Ltd. explained that these machines are “Radial Pressure Wave (also often known as Radial Shockwave or Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy) are devices used to help stimulate and promote the body’s own healing process. Radial Pressure Wave devices create acoustic waves which are transmitted into the patient’s tissue stimulating several physiological responses including increased blood flow, regulating the body’s inflammatory response, and creating an analgesic effect to reduce pain. Jimmy went on to thank former Councillor, Tina Mountain, who made a generous donation which enabled the £8,000 shockwave machines to be purchased. Tina said “she was delighted to be able to present the equipment which would benefit so many patients in need of this treatment.” Photograph: Jimmy Hendry, Tina Mountain and Craig Wilson from DJO UK Ltd.
Astodia Vein Finder presented to Special Care Baby Unit at Epsom
June Irvine, resident of Epsom & Ewell for over 40 years presented an £815 “Astodia” Vein Finder to Senior Sister, Gerry Cotter from the Special Care Baby Unit, Epsom General Hospital. Matron Carolyne Payne thanked June for her very generous donation . They said “The Special Care Baby Unit at Epsom General Hospital were grateful to accept an “Astodia Vein Finder” from the Epsom Medical Equipment Fund. The “Astodia Vein Finder” is a handheld tool to support the cannulation process which can be very challenging in premature or sick new-born babies. Finding a vein in a newborn baby hand can be very tricky and can causes distress to the newborn if not done correctly first time. The Astodia Vein Finder shines a very bright light from underneath the hand which highlights were the veins are. The device is user friendly, safe, and effective and prevents multiple cannulation attempts, so it saves time with quicker results and no delay of treatment. Less experienced medical and nursing staff will benefit from its ease of use allowing them to gain more confidence and experience, with the ability to prevent a difficult technique on such tiny veins. Photograph and article courtesy of What's On In Epsom
Seriously, playing games can be therapeutic
Walking past a physiotherapy treatment room, one activity might strike you as puzzling: people are sitting playing computer games. However, these are no ordinary games. They come from a specialist company, Biometrics Ltd whose technology helps rehabilitate people who have hand injuries, including stroke patients. Occupying the patient’s mind while undergoing treatment means any discomfort is not noticed; so keen are they to complete the task and reach the goal, that exercise is completed without them realising. Under the expert and watchful eye of the Hand Therapist even the slightest movement of the muscle or tendon is picked up with the aid of these wonderful devices .
A sky view for children at Epsom Hospital
Going to a Radiology appointment can be daunting for children and adults alike, but thanks to a donation by Leatherhead-based ExxonMobil, anyone going to Epsom Hospital is now finding the experience more relaxing by simply looking up. On the ceiling patients find twelve specially designed LED Sky Ceiling tiles displaying a beautiful blue sky scene, which distracts them while scans are performed.
Dr. Kristen Younger, Consultant Radiologist said “Naturally, some patients, particularly children can be apprehensive about having an ultrasound. On entering the room they are captivated by the bright colourful tiles. This makes carrying out ultrasounds much more enjoyable for them”. (photo kindly provided by Mark Lewis Photography)
Southern Co-op's Charity Partner
Epsom Medical Equipment Fund felt greatly honoured to be chosen as Ruxley Lane’s Southern Co-op’s Charity Partner for the year 2019 -2020 through their Love Your Neighbourhood programme, which aims to help bring communities together by providing support through fundraising, donations and volunteering. Manager, Simon and his team encouraged customers to support EMEF in their quest to raise money for medical equipment for the local Hospital. This support continued throughout the year with donations raising the magnificent total of £965.51. Well done Ruxley Co-op and customers.
Hoist up the Mayor
The Mayor, Cllr. John Beckett and Mayoress Alison Becket attended Epsom General Hospital to visit the Neuro Physiotherapy and Occupational Team and present a £4,310 hoist on behalf of Epsom Medical Equipment Fund and the community. This hoist will replace the one purchased 14 years ago by Epsom Medical Equipment Fund which has reached the end of its life. The Neuro Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Team team play a vital role in the rehabilitation and recovery of stroke and head injury patients at Epsom General Hospital.
Local schools and choirs raise a whopping £3,386.82 carol singing in the Ashley Centre
In the lead up to Christmas local schools, Ewell Grove, Riverview, Danetree, Stamford Green, West Ewell, Wallace Fields, St. Clements, St. Christophers, Shawley Community, St. Joseph’s, St. Martins and The Downsmen and Ewell Choral Society came to the Ashley Shopping Centre to sing a varied programme of carols. Our own EMEF choir sang at Sainsbury’s Kiln Lane greeting shoppers as they entered the store. We are indebted to the Management of the Ashley Shopping Centre and Sainsbury’s for allowing us to visit. The carol singing raised a fantastic total of £3,386.82 which has given our fund a terrific boost.
County Councillor, Tina Mountain Visits Vascular Unit at Epsom General Hospital to see £55,000 machine
Vascular Scientist Amanda Clark was delighted to show and explain to County Councillor Tina Mountain the latest in technology in the form of a vascular/stroke scanner for which Tina had contributed £2,000 to from her County Councillor’s Allocation. This state-of-the-art ultrasound machine is used to support the hospital’s existing stroke, DVT and aneurysm surveillance services, as well as GP and inpatient referrals and patients arriving at A&E with vascular-related symptoms. Many patients are benefiting as a result of this machine. Amanda expressed her grateful thanks to Tina Mountain for her support.
Scott Gridley completes the Prudential Ride 100
Scott Gridley from Kingston Road, Ewell, participated in the Prudential Ride 100 on Sunday 30th July to raise money for Epsom Medical Equipment Fund. His aim to raise £250 to go towards the purchase of lung equipment for Epsom General Hospital.
Scott started his ride at 7:15 a.m. and after approximately 8 hours of riding he did say he felt like he hadhit a wall three quarters of the way around but it was why he was doing it and what it was for that spurred him on and kept him going. He rode the 100 miles and completed the course receiving a medal. He has raised nearly £450 surpassing the target of £250 he had set himself. Well done Scott - we are all immensely proud of you.
£1,000’s Just Grand from The Epsom Club
Big hearted members of the Epsom Club have been filling the charity collection boxes on the bar for a year – and when Epsom Medical Equipment Fund organiser Bess Harding was invited to see the result, she was “absolutely delighted”. Over a buffet supper with members and presentation by Bess, the club’s finance manager Ray Welsh handed over a cheque for £1,002.89. Raffles and other fund raising events helped boost the figure. “It was a pleasure to help Bess’s valuable work to go on,” said Ray. Bess added:”It is a wonderful result and so kind of people.
Christmas comes early as Epsom Hospital receives £55,000 ultrasound machine
It was obvious to all how pleased and excited Vascular Scientist, Amanda Clark was when presented with the Vascular and Stroke Ultrasound Scanner which will play a vital role in helping to diagnose complex medical problems such as strokes and vascular saving many lives by detecting these unforeseen problems. A delighted Amanda Clark thanked everyone who contributed and said how much more was able to be investigated in the vascular field with this scanner. Raising this amount of money is no easy task. Thanks go to everybody who contributed. Special thanks go to private donor Michael O, Walton-on-the-Hill Pageant, Dorking Deepdene Rotary Club, Residents of Mospey Crescent, former SCC Stella Lallement, SCC Councillor, Tina Mountain. for their generous support.”
Lion “Roary”-ing with Earache Pain
Mike Hallam, 2015/6 Leatherhead Lions President took Roary (aka Peter Addison) the Lion with him along with Jim Malynn his Lion Tamer to jointly present with Epsom Medical Equipment Fund a £6,000 ENT Microscope to Peter Robb, Consultant ENT Surgeon. Faced with a roaring lion, Peter took the opportunity to try the new microscope out to find out what the trouble was – the lion’s ear was blocked with wax. With Peter’s calming influence and knowledge the problem was soon resolved. The generosity of Leatherhead Lions Club in presenting a cheque for £3,500 collected through their Leatherhead Christmas collection made this microscope possible. This new microscope will increase the throughput of patients who need this investigation at Epsom General Hospital. Peter Robb expressed his grateful thanks to the Leatherhead Lions for helping make this possible.
Dorking Deepdene Rotarians Surprise President and Guest
Jon Weller, President, Dorking Deepdene Rotary Club, invited EMEF Fund Co-ordinator, Bess Harding, MBE to attend the Dorking Deepdene Rotary Club Meeting. At the end of the Meeting Jon presented Bess with a cheque not knowing until that moment that fellow Rotarians had dug deep into their pockets to raise the amount to £500. Both were rendered speechless for a moment by this generous donation, Bess told those present it would go towards the purchase of ultrasound scanning equipment for Epsom General Hospital which would play a vital role in stroke and vascular problems.
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones! A generous donation from a benefactor Mr. M of over £2,100 to EMEF enabled The South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC), based at Epsom Hospital, to take delivery of eight new models that will be used for research into osteoporosis (a condition which makes bones brittle and fragile) and to help explain different conditions and surgical procedures to patients.
The Fund purchased models of a number of key joints and body parts, including: knee, foot, ankle, hand, fingers, elbow joints and the lower back (lumbar spine) and a model that shows how osteoporosis can affect bones. Bess Harding presented these to Sarah Langfield, Nurse Consultant SWLEOC who said “We are hoping to set up some new Nurse Consultant clinics for osteoporosis, as well as undertaking further research.” Sarah expressed her thanks to Mr. M. for his generosity.
A Nip in the Air! EMEF and The Leatherhead Lions Club joined together to purchase a welcome gift for the respiratory department at Epsom General Hospital this winter, 2 Nippy Cough Assist Machines (£7,500)
Father Christmas, aka Tony Hudson, made the presentation on their behalf to Dr. Jonathan Ratoff, Respiratory Consultant at EGH. The NIPPY Clearway machines will prove a particularly welcome addition during the winter months, which usually see an increase in the number of people attending hospital suffering from breathing difficulties. Leatherhead Lions Club raised the money through a series of successful summer events. Also present is Bess Harding, Mike Hallam, Lions President; Ali Howells, Senior Physio & Katie Kyritsis, In patient Physiotherapist
Cath Lyden, Programme Manager from The Challenge presenting Sister Lorna Belen with a £1,500 Dynamap for the Daycase Unit at Epsom General Hospital.
Young people participating in the National Citizen Services (NCS) programme partnered with Epsom Medical Equipment Fund to raise money towards the purchase of a £1,500 vital signs monitor for the new enlarged Day Case Unit at Epsom Hospital. The new Dinamap monitor will be used for general observations, i.e. checking heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels. The new monitor is a very welcome addition, and will be of immense benefit to patients who need continuous monitoring following their surgery.
Leatherhead Lion, Rory, roars into Day Case Unit, EGH with £3,500 donation for bladder scanner
Jim Malynn, former President of Leatherhead Lions Club together with Tony Hudson and President Mike Hallam dropped into the Day Case Unit at EGH to present Sister, Lorna Belen with a £7,600 Verathon Portable 3D Ultrasound Bladder Scanner which allows clinicians to quickly and accurately measure a patient’s bladder volume aiding the diagnosis and evaluation of common urological conditions. It can assess urinary retention in adult patients to help prevent unnecessary catheterization and reduce rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infection.
Donations in memory of Edward W. G. Thomas and Heinz Schmidtke buys two Molifts for Stroke Unit and Medical Wards at EGH - proud families with Molifts and Therapies Team
The £840 Molift looks like an upright porters trolley but this unique piece of equipment called a Molift Raiser will serve a very useful purpose for physiotherapists and patients alike on the medical and stroke wards at Epsom General Hospital. This equipment enables patients to stand up at an earlier stage in their rehab and reduces the large gap between an electric hoist and walking equipment.
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HRH Princess Alexandra opens new Urology Unit
HRH Princess Alexandra met Bess and Brian Harding when she visited Epsom General Hospital to open the New Urology Unit. It is one of the biggest of its kind in the south east of England, and with experts across the field of urology specialties working so closely together, Epsom are able to offer patients a superb level of care in an efficient and welcoming atmosphere. EMEF purchased a urodynamic machine for bladder problems and a bariatric couch.
Surprise Surprise
We invited two children from each school who sing for us at the Ashley Centre, adult choirs who support us and centre management, Dave Barrow and Sonia Pereira-Polido to Epsom General Hospital for the surprise presentation of the £27,000 SonoSite Fujifilm Edge Ultrasound machine to the unsuspecting consultant Dr Radhika Viswanatha.
The portable ultrasound system, which will allow experts to undertake high quality scans of patients at their bedside, was presented to the Consultant Gynaecologist in front of the talented crowd of young singers and other VIP's. Dr Ruth Charlton, Joint Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive of EGH said: “It was an absolute pleasure to be at the special presentation this afternoon. I would like to thank every person who was involved in the fundraising events run by the Epsom Medical Equipment Fund – we are very grateful to them for this donation, and would like to thank them once again for their generosity.”
Space Age Machine at Epsom for Bladder Problems
Epsom Medical Equipment Fund has been instrumental in equipping the new urology unit at Epsom with the latest in hi-tech equipment. Urodynamics are tests of bladder function, assisting the medical team to understand the cause of someone’s bladder problems, and to plan their care. The new equipment will be used five days a week. As a large part of the cost of this £21,000 machine was with money raised at EMEF’s Charity Car Boot Sales, Stephen Hardie-East, Managing Director of Autotest, Ewell presented this latest in hi-technology machine on behalf of EMEF. Autotest have been a supporter for many years of the Fund’s Charity Car Boot Sales.
Epsom Rotaract British Quiz Night helps buy Bariatric Couch for Urodynamic Unit at Epsom General Hospital
Epsom Rotaract 2014 President, John Bishop was present to see all their hard efforts rewarded when a £1,428 Bariatric Couch was handed over to the Urology Diagnostic Unit at Epsom General Hospital. This has allowed individuals to be treated whose weight would have excluded them from investigations in the past. It has proved to be more comfortable than a standard couch for all users, enabling a better service to be provided to those who need assistance to move. Electronically controlled by a foot peddle, the nurse or doctor undertaking the procedure can alter the patients position in the middle of an investigation.
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Team Wheatsheaf and supporters help save babies lives with presentation of £4,000 heart probe to Epsom General Hospital.
Consultant Paediatrician, Adam Carter, said "this new ultrasound probe will be used to acquire detailed pictures of a newborn baby's heart. The probe emits ultrasound waves that are able to penetrate the body reflecting from the underlying tissues to build up a moving picture of the heart".
The new ultrasound probe is specially designed to be used on the very smallest newborn and premature babies. At this age their tiny hearts are barely larger than a baby's clenched fist and the new ultrasound probe emits much higher frequency ultrasound waves than is possible with a probe normally used on older children and adults. The new probe helps to extend the age range of children who are now able to have their hearts scanned at at Epsom down to the most premature infant up to teenagers.
Party in the Pub at The Wheatsheaf, Ewell raises £4,000 for baby heart probe at Epsom General Hospital
The Wheatsheaf Ewell Party in the Pub was a huge success. With threats all morning for very stormy weather, the day turned out sunny attracting regulars, local residents and some from further afield to arrive at The Wheatsheaf from midday onwards. Afternoon entertainment was provided by three local acts: Everwhile, Josh Bolt and Nikki Aston. Children were entertained by a bouncy castle and face painting. Mouth watering cakes tempted people, as did the barbecue which helped raise money. Evening entertainment was Karaoke to dance and sing along to. Lee, Demi, Wendy, Gary, Kim and Darren were all kept busy. With a raffle and prizes supplied by local shops, businesses and people to be won plus a nice donation from Premium Credit and tremendous support from those attending, £4,000 was raised by The Wheatsheaf.
The Lion’s Share. Leatherhead Lions contribute to a £7,000 Dental Vistascan mini image plate scanner for Radiology Department, EGH
Leatherhead Lion’s President, Jim Malynn helped by Roary their Mascot and Chris Barker, Community Services Chairman presented a £7,000 Dental Vistascan mini image plate scanner to Dr. Andrew Gregory, Chairman of Epsom Medical Equipment Fund for use in the Radiology Department at Epsom General Hospital. Catherine Pearce, Superintendent Radiolographer, explained that the Vistascan image plates and scanner are used in dental radiography for Occlusal and intra-oral radiographs. This machine makes dental diagnostics even faster producing high quality images for early detection of dental problems, and is more comfortable for patients.
John Bishop 2013/2014 President of Epsom Rotaract was born in Epsom Hospital. He wasn’t breathing when he was born and a nurse saved his life by giving him the kiss of life. John wanted to raise money for Epsom Medical Equipment Fund as a way of giving back to the hospital. Senior Sister, Jane McCourt, Ebbisham Ward said “it is incredibly hard to monitor BP’s in very small babies and they need to have this piece of equipment because it is very sensitive and therefore able to pick up the very minute changes in these babies blood vessels. Babies obviously do not lie still when having these investigations done, but this monitor can still function even when baby is moving.”
ExxonMobil donate £1,200 to help calm babies being examined.
Dr Julian Eyears, Occupational Health Physician at ExxonMobil presented the calming bubble tube along with a special effects undersea projector to the Paediatric Outpatients at Epsom General Hospital. The calming bubble which changes colour and the undersea special effects projector capture the attention of babies and young children which enables the Consultant to carry out investigations and examinations without the necessity to sedate them.
Epsom Rotaract donate £2,330.07 to Epsom Medical Equipment Fund.
Epsom Rotaract held a British-themed cheque presentation in Epsom with Bess Harding MBE from Epsom Medical Equipment Fund. The Epsom Rotaract's very successful Great British Quiz and other fundraising activities in 2013/14 raised £2,330.07 for EMEF!" President of Rotaract 2013/2014, John Bishop made the presentation which will go towards the purchase of medical equipment for Epsom General Hospital.