Equipment which could save the lives of babies born at the Bradford Royal Infirmary has been purchased thanks to the fundraising efforts of a local charity.

The Bradford Heart Support Group recently gave four thousand pounds to buy new machines which will measure the blood oxygen levels of all newborn babies at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Consultant neonatologist, Sam Oddie, said: “These pulse oximeters will allow us to detect heart disease before any clinical signs make its presence obvious. 

“This should result in fewer babies getting very ill with congenital heart disease and so  improve their chances of survival with a good quality of life. 

“Congenital heart disease is rare (about 6 cases per 1000 live births) and while this test will only identify a proportion of these cases, it should find those who will benefit most from early diagnosis.”

Midwives will apply a saturation probe to the foot of every baby born at the hospital and all those newborns with abnormal results will be investigated thoroughly.

“If the babies are ill, or have congenital heart disease, this will be explained to their families, and appropriate treatment given,” added Dr Oddie. “But we’d like to say a big thank-you to all the Bradford Heart Support Group volunteers who raised this  money as it is very gratefully received.”

The money for the new machines was raised in a number of ways by the group including book stalls, raffles, home-made sales and sponsored events.

Bradford Heart Support Group Honorary Treasurer, Alan Sykes, said he was delighted to see the practice up and running in the maternity unit.

He continued: “Bradford Heart Support Group works incredibly hard to raise money to fund cardiac equipment and give support to heart patients throughout the city.

“We also receive occasional donations made in memory of a deceased heart patient which are so vital to helping us buy equipment like this and without these funds we would not be able to help the hospital in this way.”

Over the past number of years the group have made numerous donations to the BRI.

“If any little lives can be saved through the use of this heart machine in the neo-natal unit then all the volunteers will be very pleased,” added Mr Sykes.

Bradford Heart Support Group carries out a range of voluntary services for cardiac patients including:

• A ward visiting service.
• Social events and leisure activities.
• Maintaining contact with medical professionals.
• Providing support for patients and their families.
• Encouraging exercise after rehabilitation among heart patients.
• Representing the needs of Bradford's heart patients.
• Provide a regular newsletter.

Every Wednesday volunteers from the charity visit the cardiology unit on ward 22 to talk to patients about their experiences.

Bradford Heart Support Group, which has about 350 members, was formed 19 years ago to encourage contact between local people with heart problems and their relatives and to offer mutual support. Volunteers also speak to heart patients about the importance of continuing exercise during gym rehab classes run at the Foundation Trust.

If you are interested in finding out more about Bradford Heart Support Group or would like to become a volunteer please contact Alan on 01535-275849.