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Switch in Manx Heart Foundation funding focus sees waiting lists reduce

Programme has been up and running for nine months

A local charity says it's seen huge success in focussing its resources on people delivering health services rather than buying equipment.

Earlier this year the Manx Heart Foundation (MHF) collaborated with Manx Care to double the provision of the Island's Heart Failure Service.

It helps people who have impaired heart function which results in symptoms of breathlessness and fluid retention. 

For the last few years the service has only had one specialised nurse who was experiencing an ever-increasing caseload.

In response to this the MHF agreed funding for Coronary Care Unit Nurse Grace O’Hagan to undertake the postgraduate course in Heart Failure Management in Clinical Practice at Keele University. 

However it soon became clear, that in order to fulfil the clinical aspects of the course, it would be more beneficial for Grace to work within the Heart Failure Service effectively doubling the service provision here and allowing her to become fully qualified in the process.

Charity Chair Karen Chiarello says funding a second nurse has meant a significant cut in waiting lists:

Later this month the charity will mark 'World Heart Day' which is held annually on 29 September.

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