League of Friends donate thousands of pounds for oxygen supply devices

Basildon Hospital’s Critical care outreach team are now benefiting from an additional supply of oxygen delivery systems courtesy of the League of Friends voluntary group.

The three Oxygen Venturi Airvo devices provide patients with access to 100% supplementary humidified oxygen when required. Collectively the systems cost over £9,000 and will benefit patients on any ward where a need for additional respiratory support has been identified.

Claire Tillett, Lead Nurse for the Critical Care Outreach team, said “We are so very grateful to the League of Friends for their generosity in funding the Airvo devices.

“We know from the existing systems that an adjustable flow of moistened oxygen brings almost immediate results in reducing distress to a wide range of patients. Patients including those experiencing breathlessness due to pneumonia and other conditions where damage has been caused to the lungs, and patients with tracheostomies will benefit enormously.“

League of Friends for Basildon Hospital was formed over 50 years ago and through its tea-bar at Basildon Hospital, which is run entirely by their dedicated volunteers, has raised an impressive £1.6 million. The money they make from sales is regularly ploughed back into equipment to benefit patients at the hospital.

League of Friends chairman Alan Ursell said: “We are always so pleased to be able to support Basildon Hospital with funding for equipment which benefits patients and staff.

“I know from the team’s demonstration of the Airvo devices that patients will benefit so much from these devices; providing them with the immediate treatment and comfort that they need.”