Our past projects

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We believe you should know exactly where your money is going...

Sonowand 3D ultrasound scanner - Sheffield Brainwave Appeal

Target: £500,000.00

The Brainwave Appeal finished early in 2008. A huge thank you to everyone who supported it. We thought you might like to see what the equipment looks like. Two machines are already installed and in regular use in the Neurosurgery Operating Theatres at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital - making a real difference to the lives of people with brain tumours. The third, for Sheffield Children's Hospital, should be available soon.

Glidescope

Target: £5,500.00

In the last year Neurocare has bought an amazing new device, called a Glidescope. This videolaryngoscope enables the anaesthetist to have a much improved view of the larynx, which is necessary for placement of the “breathing” tube for surgical and Intensive Care patients. Using traditional metal instruments it is necessary to extend the patient’s neck to obtain any view of the larynx and in many patients this may not produce a good view of the larynx.

With the new technology of the Glidescope the head remains in a neutral position, reducing strain on the vertebrae and discs, and the embedded video camera provides a wide, clear view of the larynx. Insertion of the breathing tube is much easier even in previously “difficult to intubate” patients.

Learning to use the Glidescope is very easy. Some months ago 2 anaesthetists were struggling to intubate a patient in the High Dependency Unit, using conventional techniques. Neither had seen the Glidescope before but their technician had seen it used and when they inserted it they were able to see the larynx and insert a breathing tube, allowing the patient to receive much-needed oxygen …..another life saved! Its use has helped save at least two more patients already in life-threatening situations. We continue to use this revolutionary device and hope that more will be available soon for other areas within the Neuro Unit.

Jan Mundy Consultant Neuroanaesthetist.

Pan Optic Opthalmoscope for Sheffield hospitals

Target: £600.00

NEUROCARE have funded the purchase of a Pan Optic Opthalmoscope - which is almost easier to use than it is to pronounce! This clever little gadget is a state of the art opthalmoscope which magnifies much more than the average one. It will allow clinicians to examine patients’ eyes and have a field of view 5 times larger than you can see with standard scopes.

This pan optic opthalmoscope will be used on a daily basis by both neurosurgeons and neuromedical staff when they examine patients, looking for signs of swelling of the brain due to brain tumours or strokes. Our staff are absolutely delighted to have such a wonderful piece of equipment to help them in their diagnoses

Parker Bath for Sheffield Royal Hallamshire Hospital N2 Ward

Target: £3,700.00

Thanks to people like you supporting Neurocare patients on Ward N2 can now enjoy a whole new bathing experience. Neurocare has part funded an Arjo Parker Bath which allows patients to get in by simply sliding onto the seat and then the side of the bath is closed. It means that less mobile patients can now have a bath without the help of a hoist. Once the patient is in the bath, it is filled with water and then it can be tipped back to give them a really comfortable relaxing soak. All the feedback we’ve had so far is that they absolutely love it!

Many thanks to Staff Nurse Naomi Ellis for being our model.

Assessment of Solitary Intracranial Mass

Target: £30,000.00

This research project is designed to investigate whether state of the art MR Imaging using sophisticated techniques that allow the researcher to measure the blood supply and biochemistry of the brain improve the diagnostic information given by the imaging to the neurosurgeon who has then to decide with the patients on the best course of treatment. The early support of Neurocare after the installation of one of the first 3T MR scanners in the UK during 2003 provided Sheffield with the first clinical brain tumour imaging service at 3T in the UK for study participants. 3T scanners are the latest generation of scanners for MR imaging of the brain and are able to produce higher resolution imaging quicker and more accurate biochemical and blood supply information than is possible at the normal strength of MR scanners, 1.5T, which have been available over the last couple of decades. The images shown here have been supplied with the consent of the patients and illustate the use of perfusion imaging that demonstrates the blood supply to the brain. They can be used to help guide the surgeon to where to take biopsies from.

Nigel Hoggard, Clinical Senior Lecturer/Honorary Consultant Neuroradiologist supplied the above information and was pleased to have an opportunity 'to thank Neurocare and the people who work so hard for it for their invaluable support'.

Vigileo Monitor

Target: £3,500.00

Neurocare have funded a Vigileo Monitor for the Neuro ITU Unit. This amazing little machine monitors cardiac output using pulse contour analysis, giving an estimate of systemic vascular resistance. It will also be used to measure jugular venus saturation. This is important because it helps to maintain cerebral perfusion for patients with neurological damage.

Cough Assist Machine

Target: £8,000.00

Neurocare has bought two specialist cough assist machines for the Sheffield Care and Research Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.   The machines will help MND patients to cough without the help of physiotherapists.  Patients will be able to take the machines home, allowing them to deal more effectively with the symptoms that MND can cause. Nurses working in the department were delighted to have two additional machines to offer to patients. ‘The cough assist machine is absolutely fantastic,’ said Hannah Nixon, ‘It gives patients back some control over one very important aspect of their lives and prevents them having to spend time in hospital – time which is very precious to them.  It gives them a way of managing their own symptoms independently, in an illness where they lose nearly all control.  Not only does it give them peace of mind, knowing that they can clear their own airway unaided, it means that they can be more comfortable and have a much better quality of life.’