Patients with heart failure are being better supported towards early diagnosis and treatment at Walsall Manor Hospital thanks to the legacy of a former patient.
John Wilson was admitted to the hospital in May 2022. He had heart problems following a fall and he died after a short stay, aged 94.
Family friend Lizi Bird is an Executor of his estate and she and her mother Marion, who was best friends with John’s wife Jean, visited the Cardiology Service to see how John’s wishes for his estate to benefit the Manor Hospital had been realised.
John’s legacy has meant Walsall Healthcare Trust was able to buy a digital cardiovascular and shared service ultrasound system for patients to be given echocardiograms – a test that uses sound waves to measure the heart’s pumping actions and the structure of the heart, including heart valves. The machine is used in heart emergencies to assess the function of the heart and for procedure planning. It also includes a vascular probe used to perform cardiac and vascular procedures safely, minimising the risk of bleeding.
Dr Jeffrin Anthony, Consultant Cardiologist, explained: “All adult hospital admissions, with either new or suspected acute heart failure, should have an echocardiogram (ECHO)within two weeks, as early diagnosis and treatment improves their overall care.
“This vascular access echo machine funded through Mr Wilson’s legacy, managed by our Well Wishers charity, means we have been able to replace our old device with a much more state-of-the-art system which helps us to ensure our patients have access to the best quality, timely care. We have also been able to buy ultrasound probes and thank Lizi and Marion for coming in to visit the service and hear for themselves how much of a difference this generous gift will make to our patients.”
Lizi said Mr Wilson’s wishes were for his estate to be split between the Manor Hospital, Cancer Research, the British Heart Foundation and the RNLI and £90,144.02 came to the hospital to fund the equipment, with £10,000 of that going towards the recent Chemotherapy Unit refurbishment which saw the reception and treatment area brightened with wall graphics and new recliner chairs provided.
“She said: “I think John will be looking down and thoroughly approve of how his legacy has been used here at the hospital that treated him and where my mum, formerly known as Sister Cooper, worked from the 1950s until the mid-1990s.
“For us, it was also good to see the equipment the legacy funded and hear directly how it is helping patients, and we thank Dr Jeffrin and colleagues for explaining it all to us.”
Lizi said Mr and Mrs Wilson, who lived in Pelsall, were married later in life, as John had been caring for his mother. He had worked as a wages clerk in engineering while Jean worked as Records Supervisor in Walsall Council’s Social Services.
She added: “They were a couple who loved being in each other’s company and were happy just spending time together at home. Jean was a churchgoer, and John had been a keen tennis player in his time. Jean developed dementia and died in 2016, aged 89, leaving John on his own.
“I used to enjoy talking to John – he had a really dry sense of humour and always gave sound advice.”
Georgie Westley, Fundraising Manager, said: “We were pleased Lizi and Marion could come and visit our Cardiology Team because this gave them a real understanding of how significant a difference donations in the form of legacies make to our Trust.”