A Nip in the air: Respiratory team at Epsom Hospital receive generous donation
Epsom Medical Equipment Fund and the Leatherhead Lions Club have joined together to purchase a welcome gift for the respiratory department at Epsom Hospital this winter: two brand new breathing aids costing £7,200.
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. Katie Kyritsis, Acting Team Lead for Inpatient Physiotherapy at Epsom Hospital explained: “The NIPPY Clearway is used for airway clearance and to assist coughing in those with reduced cough function. As well as being quite distressing, not being able to cough can pose a number of risks, including increased chance of chest infection, pneumonia or aspiration.
“The Clearway can be used to assist people with a number of respiratory conditions, and the fact that they are portable makes them even easier to use. The new machines will provide valuable assistance and will help us make sure we continue to deliver the best possible care to our patients.”
The purchase of one of the Clearway devices was made possible thanks to support from the Leatherhead Lions, who raised the funds through a series of successful summer events, including the Donkey Derby at Polesden Lacey and popular visits to local fetes. President of the Leatherhead Lions Club, Mike Hallam, said: “It is just right that we should share our success with others who need help: helping the community is the foundation of the Lions.” The second machine was purchased thanks to a legacy Gordon Anthony Millson left to the Epsom Medical Equipment Fund.
When presenting the new machines to the team, Bess Harding, co-ordinator of the Medical Equipment Fund, and Mike had a very special friend on-hand to do the honours – none other than Father Christmas himself! On receiving the new equipment, Dr Jonathan Ratoff, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine, said: “This is a timely boost to the work of a truly multidisciplinary team comprised of therapists, nurses, physician associates and even some doctors!
“This essential equipment will help to improve airway clearance and chest physiotherapy for Epsom patients. This will lead to significant benefits to many, including quicker recovery. The Respiratory Medicine department at Epsom Hospital are grateful to Epsom Medical Equipment Fund and Leatherhead Lions Club for their continual support.”
For more information about Epsom Medical Equipment Fund and to find out how you can get involved, please visit http://www.emef.org.uk/ or https://www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/get-involved.
