Solihull Community Nurses receive special equipment

The Solihull Community Nurses make visits to patients in and around Solihull, bringing care to the patients in their home environment. One aspect of their work involves caring for patients with leg ulcers, and carrying out comprehensive assessments of their health.

This includes calculating the ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) which assesses the pressure of blood flow in the lower legs, determining which treatments would be suitable for the patient.

Previously, the Community Nurses would use a handheld Doppler to calculate the ABPI. This process took at least 30 minutes to calculate, and the patient would have to lie down for 20 minutes prior to assessment.

However, thanks to Solihull Hospital Charity and the Friends of Solihull Hospital, the Community Nurses have taken delivery of six Mesi devices. These devices drastically speed up measuring ABPI, with the whole process taking only five minutes and patients are not required to lie down prior to the assessment. This frees up time for the patient, and makes the most effective use of the Community Nurse’s time.

Rachel Learmonth, Fundraising Manager at Solihull Hospital Charity, said: “The Charity is delighted to have been able to fund three Mesi devices which, alongside the three devices funded by the Friends of Solihull Hospital, will change the way that patients with leg ulcers are treated, speeding up assessment time scales, leading to earlier treatment and referral.

"This wouldn’t have been possible without kind donations to the Charity which allow us to provide these ‘added extras’ which improve the quality of life for patients around Solihull.”