Patients receiving treatment for heart failure in the community will benefit from a new piece of equipment funded by The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) Lion Lodge.

The Pulse Oximeter which cost £350 is a mobile device which monitors the oxygen levels in the body and enables the community heart failure nurse specialist to closely monitor significant changes in breathless patients.     

Rodney Long, a member of the RAOB and a patient receiving treatment for heart failure said: “You never know when you are going to need health care in the community and having been a patient for the past two and a half years, I wanted to give something back and was pleased that the Lion Lodge could support this group of heart patients and make a donation to the NHS.”

 On the Island an estimated 3,510 people live with a diagnosis of left sided heart failure. Heart failure is a common illness which impairs the quality of life more than any other chronic medical illness and has a worse prognosis than most cancers.

Georgina Newnham, Community Heart Failure Nurse Specialist for the Island’s NHS said: “I would like say a big thank you to the RAOB for their support and generosity. This device will be used on a daily basis as part of the review of a patient’s condition.  It is invaluable to me in my role and early detection of deterioration in my patient’s general condition.”

Last year the RAOB supported the Island’s NHS by sponsoring a fish tank for the benefit of patients at St. Mary’s Hospital and contributed towards an exercise cycle for the Respiratory Department.

Notes for Editors

For further information:  Contact the NHS Isle of Wight communications team on 01983 534184 or 552003.    Further information about health services can be found at www.iow.nhs.uk or www.nhs.uk.

1. Heart failure affects 1-2% of the UK population and accounts for about 5% of all medical admissions to hospital. The prevalence of heart failure increases with age, with a mean age of the heart failure population in the UK being 76 years. It is estimated that 3% of the over 45 year age group, a possible 878,000 people, have heart failure in the UK. 
   
   
2. The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes is a social organisation which aids members in need and their families, as well as support other charitable groups.