Doctor running to raise money for high-tech breathing monitor

A Bradford doctor is planning to run 10K to help fund a device which will better monitor patients with breathing problems.

Leanne Cheyne, a respiratory consultant at Bradford Royal Infirmary, is taking part in the Bradford 10K on 15 March 2020.

She said: “As a doctor of chest medicine, I am always telling my patients to exercise to keep their lungs healthy. I feel like I’m setting a good example for them and my children.

“I do a fair amount of exercise anyway, but I only recently started running again. I have been training hard and hopefully I will finish in a good time.”

Leanne explained that she hoped her fundraising will go towards her department purchasing a Tosca monitoring device. The Tosca is similar to a standard oximeter, in that it measures oxygen levels, but it is much more technologically advanced and can also measure carbon dioxide levels.

She said: “This will be used by our high dependency patients and will really improve the quality of our care. It allows us to assess whether the breathing muscles are working well in the night and could potentially reduce the number of painful blood tests.”

Hayley Collis, head of fundraising for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, said: “Our respiratory doctors and nurses provide excellent care and treatment to patients. However, as an NHS charity, we fundraise and pay for items and projects which go over and above what the NHS provides. We can upgrade medical devices, buy extra and buy quicker than budgets allow – all to improve patient treatment and care

“The Tosca monitoring device will help our clinicians keep an even closer eye on patients who are most poorly and vulnerable, and reduce painful blood tests.

“Our doctors and nurses want the very best equipment to treat patients. We believe the people of Bradford deserve the best, and so we’re delighted to support Leanne’s fundraising efforts. We wish her lots of luck with her run!”

Leanne must raise just over £200 to reach her £1,000 target. To make a donation, please visit Leanne’s Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/leanne-cheyne

To find out more about Bradford Hospitals’ Charity and how you can support your local hospitals, visit www.bradfordhospitalscharity.org. Alternatively, contact the charity office on 01274 274809 or email [email protected]