‘I’m a poster child for Chest & Heart centre’
GUERNSEY’S Lt-Governor described himself as the 'poster child' for the people Guernsey Chest & Heart is trying to help, as he became the charity’s patron.
Lt General Richard Cripwell officially took up the post this week and met with nurses at the Oberlands centre. He expressed his gratitude for the work that the centre does in preventing heart attacks and other forms of cardiovascular disease.
‘I’m honoured to become patron. It’s a cause that means a lot to me as I lost a close friend suddenly to a heart attack last year.
'It turned out he had underlying symptoms, so I think it is incredibly important to be informed about the causes of heart disease and what can be done to prevent it,’ he said.
Lt General Cripwell also paid tribute to the ‘super team’ of nurses working at the centre, and emphasised the importance of charitable donations to help fund their work.
‘If more money is donated, then more work can be done, it’s as simple as that. Many people seem to think that the Chest & Heart centre is part of the hospital but it isn’t. It is independent and relies solely on donations from members of the public to keep it running, so every penny counts,’ he said.
Older men are particularly at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Lt General Cripwell was thankful for the advice that he personally had received from the centre.
‘I see myself as something of a poster child for the charity given my age and lifestyle.
‘I don’t mind sharing that I take statins, and since coming for my first screening the nurses have been fantastic with the advice they’ve given me. I’ve learned so much about the small changes I can make to my life, and I would encourage anyone worried about their heart health to get screened,’ he said.
Centre manager Julie Jones was grateful for the Lt-Governor’s support, and expressed her gratitude to those donating to the charity.
‘It costs about £100,000 annually to run this facility, and with the money received we’ve been able to set up a free preventative screening program by installing four clinical screening rooms, and make the centre a warm, clean environment that people feel comfortable coming to,’ she said.
Nurse Alison Matthew said that people attending could expect a comprehensive check-up.
‘We measure height, weight and blood pressure, as well as glucose and cholesterol levels,’ she said, and patients can also have an ECG to monitor their heart rhythm.
Colleague Debbie Pittman said that nurses would also discuss how to maintain a healthy lifestyle with patients.
‘It is so important for people to eat and drink healthily, as well as exercise regularly. These factors contribute to a healthier heart, and so we are more than happy to talk to patients about how to change different aspects of their lives,’ she said.
n To find out more about the work that the Chest & Heart centre does, visit https://www.chestandheart.org.gg
