£30,000 donation benefits critically ill hospital patients
A high-spec portable ventilator is improving the lives of seriously ill patients at Southend Hospital.
Rayleigh-based New Leaf Distribution donated more than £30,000 to support people receiving care at the hospital, with Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity buying the new machine.
The new ventilator will be used for patients in the Intensive Care Unit who need an MRI scan. These patients are often extremely unwell, so keeping them safely supported while they move from the Intensive Care Unit to the MRI department is essential.
Brett Kearney‑Jarrett, Critical Care Scientist Team Lead at Southend Hospital, said: “This ventilator has transformed how safely and confidently we can move our sickest patients for MRI scans. It gives us the same level of control and monitoring as we have at the bedside, which is invaluable during these complex transfers.”
The ventilator is compact and has its own air turbine and power supply, meaning it can travel with the patient through corridors, lifts and into the MRI room without any loss of support.
It also includes special magnetic field detection technology, making sure it stays at a safe distance from the MRI scanner but still delivers oxygen and ventilation to patients.
Lucy Thomas‑Clayton, Director of Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity, said: “We are so grateful to New Leaf Distribution for their incredible generosity. Their substantial donation is already making an immeasurable difference to our critically ill patients at Southend.
“This additional ventilator means we now have one of these machines at each of our main hospital sites, so we cannot thank them enough for their continued support and the lasting impact they provide both for patients and the staff who care for them.”
New Leaf Distribution have been loyal supporters of Southend Hospital for many years, helping fund a wide range of projects that have helped improve the care provided to patients.