Staff in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) at St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey, were pleased to receive a generous donation from relatives and friends following the funeral of George Mathieson, a patient on the unit last year.

The donation enabled the purchase of a simulator trainer for the Intra-aortic Balloon Pump which allows health professionals to learn, practice and improve their skills using the equipment, without it being attached a patient. It covered a significant part of the £1000 cost of this specialist equipment, which is used to increase blood flow to the heart and body.

George’s wife Ann Mathieson and his daughter Debbie Mathieson visited the unit on Thursday 2nd July to see the new equipment.

Ann said: “The Intra-aortic Balloon Pump was used as part of George’s treatment so it seemed fitting to ask for donations in his memory towards the simulator trainer, which can be used to help other patients. The care George received on CCU was outstanding and I can’t fault anything. All the staff were so kind, particularly the Ward Manager Tracey Bradshaw and Heart Failure Nurse Kate Maylard-Mason.”

“Flowers look lovely at a funeral, but they last such a short amount of time. Instead, the Intra-aortic Balloon Pump is something the CCU team can use long term and it will make a real difference to patients like George.”

Tracey Bradshaw said: “The whole team on CCU very much appreciates this generous donation. The simulator trainer will be a valuable tool in ensuring that we can maintain our clinical skills to the highest standard and ensure patients continue to receive a high level of care.”