Community Nurses have been given a helping hand to carry out heart monitoring in patients’ homes – thanks to Walsall Healthcare’s Well Wishers charity.

Staff used to have to carry bulky equipment around with them but now have portable ECG monitors for use by the four locality teams in the borough. This has made a world of difference to staff and patients alike.

Claire Hill, Divisional Business Support Manager with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s Community Services, said: “We don’t have a large stock of heart monitors but the biggest problem is the size of the equipment.

“Our poor community nurses were having to lug this around with them, going from home to home, and it was really hard work. It also meant our patients didn’t exactly feel at ease when they saw all that kit produced. As Well Wishers helps to fund items above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide, particularly to enhance patients’ experience, we were able to go to the charity to ask for help.

“The portable devices are fantastic; so much easier to carry round and nowhere near as intrusive as the larger versions. It’s so important for our community nurses to be able to check patients and ease their anxiety as well as – most importantly – get them the right help at the right time if needed.”

Georgie Westley, Fundraising Manager, added: “Claire explained that this monitoring can also help to avoid unnecessary hospital admission which is another benefit to patients.

“We have been happy to support our Community colleagues who are working so hard to help patients remain in their own homes where they feel happiest.”