The charitable funds Committee meets regularly to review projects submitted for funding from the Trusts Charitable Funds, projects of a value over £5,000 automatically go to the committee for review along with any deemed unusual by the Exec Team.

The committee reviews multiple proposals at its meetings, not all are approved, some a rejected as inappropriate, others may be differed pending additional information.

Below is an outline of each project approved by the committee at this meeting;

Project name                   Quantel Medical Compact Touch Ocular Ultrasound Machine

Department/ward          Ophthalmology

Charitable Fund              Medical Equipment Fund

Project description        

The aim of this project is to acquire an additional Ocular Ultrasound Machine for use in the Eye Infirmary’s Emergency department.  

At present there is no provision for patients presenting at the Emergency Department requiring an ocular ultrasound (as a result of no view into the back of the eye). As a result patients are taken to outpatients to have a scan performed in the department, if the ultrasound is in use in the outpatient department the patient in ED is required to wait adding to ED volumes delays and poor patient experience.

Acquiring a dedicated ultrasound machine will enable point of care assessment in the emergency  department, leading to improved patient experience and reducing the potential for delays in the emergency department.

Project name                   Portable Ocular Response Analyser

Department/ward          Ophthalmology

Charitable Fund    

Project description

The project aim is to acquire three new machines for intra-ocular pressure (IOP) check for patients in glaucoma.

The devices have the advantage of being non- contact which means unlike the other methods we have, no part of the machine comes in touch with the patient’s eye. This is particularly relevant in the current situation with The Covid-19 pandemic. 

Whilst this device still requires the patient to attend the hospital their appointment can be arranged during less busy times and the consultant can review the images virtually in-between face to face patients or during admin sessions. This device is particularly useful as it doesn’t require close contact from the operator with the patient.

The three machines will cover the current demand on the glaucoma service at the Sunderland Eye Infirmary, South Tyneside District Hospital and Durham Treatment Centre sites.

Project name                   Pilot to reduce incidence of moisture associated skin damage

Department/ward          

Charitable Fund               General Charitable fund

Project description

The aim of the project is to employ 2 Nursing Posts to deliver the pilot work aimed at reducing incidence of Moisture associated skin damage.

The level of harm to patients in acute care as a result of moisture associated skin damage is significant and specifically high for older patients. Some of the skin damage is directly attributable to our care, however some is identified at the time of the patient being admitted to hospital, but we are limited in our ability to aggressively manage the skin damage and cause, which increases the risk of patients developing moisture lesions and pressure ulcers. Intact healthy skin provides a natural barrier which prevents bacterial growth. In patients with urinary incontinence, the urea in urine can change the skin environment, encouraging bacteria to grow. In faecal incontinence, the faeces contain harmful enzymes that breakdown the skin’s barrier, again allowing bacterial and fungal growth.

As STSFT does not have specialist continence advisors based in acute care this proposal is to test the impact of developing and supporting wards for older people with specialist practitioners. The practitioners would be sourced from within our current workforce and seconded to support eight wards within older people’s medicine.

The rationale for the pilot is that patients will benefit from our staff having consolidated time to learn and develop in the specialist area of continence care and will then be in a position to share the learning locally.

The pilot will run over a 12 month period and progress will be monitored by the Tissue Viability Steering Group.

Project name                   Flexible Video Uretero Renoscopes

Department/ward          Urology

Charitable Fund              Urology Unit Fund

Project description

The aim of this project is to acquire a new Flexible Video Uretero Renoscopes for the urology department.

A ureteroscopy (URS) is a procedure in which a small scope (ureteroscope) is inserted into the ureters and kidneys. It is used to diagnose and treat a variety of problems in the urinary tract. Ureteroscopes allow the urologist to see detailed images of the lining of the ureters and kidneys and this allows surgeons to make a diagnosis and give treatment where necessary.

The new video uretero-renoscope will give a much clearer image which is both bigger and better quality, which is particularly important for diagnostics and surveillance of cancer of the upper urinary tract. Narrow band imaging (NBI) enhancement technology provides substantial help in improved detection of renal calyceal tumours due to improved visibility of tumour vessel structures.

The high-quality and large-size image helps to support more detail and precise observation. The uretero-renoscope has an optimal wide angulation range compared with rigid scopes. The recent introduction of the flexible uretero-renoscope combined with intracorporeal laser technology has allowed small intrarenal calculi to be treated from below, rather than have more major stone surgery.

Project name                   Dantec Diagnostic System

Department/ward          Neurophysiology

Charitable Fund              Medical Equipment Fund

Project description

This project is to replace the existing Dantec system with a new version of the system.

The existing Dantec Diagnostic System was purchased in 2012.  When purchased the life expectancy of the equipment was five years.  Due to the age of the equipment, the company is now unable to offer a service contract.

The equipment is used in a number of major specialties and is critical in the diagnosis and understanding of common diseases such as epilepsy, carpal tunnel syndrome, neuropathy and diabetes and also plays an important part if the delivery of the 18 week patient pathway (6-week diagnostic pathway).

The Medical Equipment Fund is the only fund which can be used for like for like equipment replacement.

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