Hospital in appeal for heart machine

An appeal is being launched at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital to raise £71,000 to buy a vital piece of equipment to help save lives.

The British Heart Foundation is appealing for help to fund a Portable Echocardiograph Machine.

The launch of the Focus Echo Appeal is on Monday night. The machine will enable seriously-ill patients on the hospital's cardio-respiratory ward to be monitored within the comfort of their hospital beds without them having to be moved elsewhere for a scan.

Sian Syddall, fundraising volunteer manager for the BHF in Shropshire said: "Sadly Telford has one of the highest coronary heart disease death rates in the Midlands, but currently many local heart patients do not have access to life-saving diagnostic equipment.

"With thousands of families in and around Telford having to live with the trauma of a loved one with heart disease, it is essential that the districts' hospital is equipped to provide the best possible treatment."

Gary Whiten, 42, from Market Drayton, said: "I need annual echo scans, due to a condition called Sarcoidosis, a disorder of the immune system that commonly affects the lungs.

"Whilst luckily my heart is in good working order, the condition can sometimes spread to the heart.

"It really is reassuring to know the facility is available locally, when I need it."

To find out more call (01905) 797807.