The great work continues during pandemic for Kingussie medical kit fundraisers
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It's been a "strange and difficult" year for Kingussie's Emergency Medical Equipment Fund, organisers have said.
But that has not stopped the charity's great work from continuing.
Fundraising group chairwoman Mary Anderson said: "The health and emergency care teams caring for us in our communities still need to renew or purchase extra equipment that aids them in their work.
"Some equipment is requested that will help reach a diagnosis earlier - enabling diagnostic tests to be carried out in this area rather than have to send patients to Raigmore Hospital to access special equipment."
Despite all the year's challenges, the EMEF has purchased and donated a range of items on the request list for the local health centre.
These include two new syringe drivers for the community nurses.
Ms Anderson said: "The delivery of these was significantly delayed by the global pandemic but we have recently received them in the community.
"These will be used to deliver medication in a steady-controlled way to patients with terminal illnesses to maintain their comfort at the end of their lives.
"Other donations include a defibrillator trainer pack which helps maintain and update training for healthcare staff in how to use the defibrillator in different patient situations."
A new and upgraded arrhythmia detection monitor has also been donated, allowing patients who are experiencing palpitations to have their heart rate and rhythm monitored at home as they go about their daily lives.
Ms Anderson explained: "This helps detect abnormal rhythms that may be causing symptoms and allows doctors to plan a next course of action.
"Having this updated machine in the locality prevents patients from having to travel to Raigmore Hospital to have the machine fitted and then travel all the way back there to return it."
A new examination couch has also been donated to Kingussie Medical Practice.
Ms Anderson said: "This has particular benefit for women undergoing the fitting of coils and taking of cervical smears . This provides the facility for a more comfortable procedure for patients and is more likely to result in a successful and straightforward procedure."
Smaller items have also been purchased including new earclip attachments for the practice's oximeters, which are used by nurses and doctors .
Usually oximeters, which measure the blood oxygen level and therefore help give an assessment of how unwell someone is , are attached to a fingertip.
But in wintry weather, the hands and feet can be very cold which results in poorer blood flow – giving false readings.
Using the ear clip attachments allow the earlobe to be used to attach the oximeter, which is likely to give a more accurate picture of blood oxygen level in such situations.
Ms Anderson said: "Due to Covid restrictions this past year, EMEF, like other charities has not been able to hold any fundraising events and we have relied on donations, legacies and collection boxes in shops to keep the charity going.
"Our overheads, as a very small charity, are extremely low so any money donated goes towards the purchase of equipment. We are extremely grateful to the community for their very kind and generous donations through this past year, and in more distant past.
"We hope, in the near future, to carry out some fund-raising activities but would urge people in the community to keep this very local charity in mind through our collection boxes in various shops and businesses in our local area.
"If anyone does wish to become involved in helping in any way with our activities, all would be welcome."
The AGM is due to take place next Thursday (May 27) via Zoom – due to ongoing meeting restrictions – and a link can be obtained by emailing kingussie.emef@gmail.com
