Online test may save lives of heart attack patients
Highland gps and paramedics to get training for new programme
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Hundreds of Highland GPs and paramedics are to receive training in a new online programme which could help save the lives of heart attack patients.
Charles Bloe, 51, a clinical ward manager at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, designed the programme which educates cardiac healthcare workers about the online interpretation of ECG cardiograph recordings.
And, after the Press and Journal highlighted the new programme in April, Inverness business Dan Medical, which manufacturer computer-based medical diagnostic devices, has now pledged to sponsor up to 500 GPs and paramedics in the Highlands to go on the training course.
Managing director of Dan Medical, Ian Drysdale, said: “I read about Charles and the online training in the Press and Journal, and I knew that the cardiologist at Raigmore wanted GPs in the Highlands to get training in the interpretation of the test, so I thought we could step in there.” He added: “To be able to interpret these results is quite important.
“We’ve had a huge response so far from health professionals wishing to take up the training.
“At the moment we are trying to link GPs with the cardiac care ward at Raigmore, so this fits in really well.”
The innovative equipment which Dan Medical is currently piloting at Raigmore enables GPs to send high definition ECG recordings from their surgery into a cardiac care unit for specialist advice.
Mr Bloe said the programme rate had been discounted for the sponsorship, but that it would have cost the 500 staff £20,000 had they paid for the training on an individual basis.
Mr Bloe, of Osprey Grange, Aviemore, was awarded top prize for Innovation in Education at the British Cardiac Nursing Awards 2008, held in London earlier this year, for the new programme.
Mr Bloe, who works in the coronary care unit, said: “I have been overwhelmed by the reaction to the training programme since winning the coveted British Cardiac Nursing award.
“I've had interest from all over the UK, but nowhere more so than in the Highlands.
“It is so important that everyone who deals with heart attack victims has the opportunity to update their ECG diagnostic skills.”
About 10,000 people have already used the programme throughout the UK, Europe and America.
For more information on the sponsored scheme log onto www.danmedical.com
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