A SECOND hand-held device which helps assess patient health at St Mary's Hospital, Newport has been bought for the Isle of Wight NHS Trust with help from the Friends of St Mary's Hospital.

In August this year, the friends bought a hand-held 'tonometer' for the hospital's eye department. The device measures eye pressure in adults and children of all ages and is used to help gauge a patient's health.

News of the purchase caught the attention of an Isle of Wight resident who wanted to help to buy a second device.

He got in touch with the trust and offered to pay for half the costs of a second tonometer. The Friends of St Mary’s were happy to fund the other half.

Patients have to have eye drops to anaesthetise their eyes but with the tonometer, anaesthesia is not required since the touch of the probe is so gentle, the measurement is barely noticed by the patient.

Nurse Specialist Sanchia Chiverton from the eye department said: “We are all extremely grateful to the anonymous donor, and to the Friends of St Mary’s. This piece of equipment makes such a difference to everyone. Not only does this improve the patients experience, it also helps to get people through the process much quicker as it can be done in seconds. Healthcare assistants can use it too, not just doctors or nurses, so it really is fantastic to now have a second tonometer.”

Friends of St. Mary’s Chair, Lesley Myland, added: “We were pleased to be able to match fund this piece of equipment which will be of such use to the eye department. This year we have awarded grants totalling £75000 to enhance the experience of patients and staff across the Island’s NHS.