SSCF newsletter - Issue 19 - January 2009
New VNUS Generator
A VNUS Generator for the treatment of varicose veins.
The Sussex Stroke & Circulation Fund have agreed to purchase a VNUS Generator for the treatment of varicose veins. This will provide a minimally invasive alternative to conventional surgery, the advantages of which are that the procedure can be performed safely under local anaesthetic, patients can walk immediately afterwards and can continue their normal daily activities quickly. The machine, which will cost around £10,000, will be purchased in early 2009.
Stroke Awareness Campaign to Save Lives
A three year, £12 million communications campaign, to promote public awareness around stroke was announced in December 2008 by the Health Minister. The campaign to be launched in February 2009, will be supported by advertising, public relations and direct marketing communications.
Stroke, the loss of brain function due to a blood clot or bleed, is the 3rd leading cause of death in the UK and the single largest cause of disability in England.
The awareness campaign will teach the public and NHS Staff to remember FAST – Face Arm Speech Test – to help them recognise the symptoms of stroke and understand that prompt emergency treatment can reduce the risk of death and severe disability.
Improving public awareness of the symptoms of stroke is a key element of the National Stroke Strategy, published last year. Since the launch of the strategy major progress has been made in the organisation of stroke services. For further information, please contact us or visit The Stroke Association.
If you would like to run any fund raising events to coincide with Stroke Awareness Day in May 2009, please let me know – I can help with promotional material, posters, car stickers, information leaflets and much more. Give me a call on 01273-664650 or email: .
Plans for hospital facelift move a step closer
After almost a year of thinking and consulting, the plan for the redevelopment of the Royal Sussex County Hospital – the ‘3T Programme’ – cleared its first major hurdle when it was approved by NHSSouth East Coast (the Strategic Health Authority) at the end of July 2008.
‘3Ts’ stands for teaching, trauma and tertiary care. The main buildings at the front of the County Hospital are nearly 200 years old and were erected 20 years before Florence Nightingale even started nursing. The proposed redevelopment will involve rebuilding or refurbishing these buildings and will mean patient care can be provided in modern, purpose-built facilities as well as making the hospital more attractive, welcoming and easier for patients and visitors to get around.
The new and refurbished buildings will be used to:-
- Expand the Sussex Cancer Centre’s non-surgical services;
- Move the Hurstwood Park Regional Centre for Neurosciences from the Princess Royal hospital and expand it to allow many patients who are currently referred to London to be treated locally;
- Create a Major Trauma Unit for patients with severe injury and trauma, many of whom are currently taken to London;
- Replace the ageing wards in the Barry and Jubilee Buildings which present daily challenges in managing cleanliness and infection control and promoting patient dignity and privacy.
Other News
- Acting jointly with the Sussex Heart Charity, we have purchased a Multiplate Blood Analyser Kit for donation to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
- An appeal was launched in January to raise £40,000 for the purchase of an up-graded operating table which gives better access and imaging particularly for endovascular work. We are currently about half way to our target.
- SSCF funded the travel costs for local Sussex patients to take part in an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Study at University College Hospital, London.
- We are delighted that the Vascular Trainee (SSCF provided funds for his training course at Portsmouth University in 2005) has now fully qualified as a Vascular Scientist and become a permanent member of staff in the Vascular Assessment Unit at RSCH.
Thanks to supporters
Since the last newsletter we have to thank:
- The Laurence Misner Charitable Trust
- The Estate of Helen Liwicki
- The Estate of Peter Rolt
- Anne Seigne & Tina Waters Bridge Day
- In lieu of flowers: The family and friends of Helen Liwicki, Stanley Ozanne, Leslie Burrell and Margaret Lauder.
- Plus all of you who have continued to support us throughout the year.
