Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust launches new grant scheme

For more than 130 years the Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust has been supporting the provision of healthcare on the Isle of Man.

This has primarily been achieved through the purchase of 'big ticket' equipment for Noble’s Hospital.

One of the Trust’s recent purchases was the hospital’s brand new, state of the art MRI scanner.

Now, it has turned its attention to healthcare in the community, by launching a new series of grants aimed at rewarding outstanding GP practices on the island.

The money will be used by the practice to purchase a new piece of equipment that will benefit their patients.

The first practice to receive one of the new grants is the Snaefell Surgery, in Anagh Coar.

A spokesperson for the surgery said: "We were thrilled to be approached by the Trust and to be considered for their grant. We have been looking at the management of patients with long term conditions and, in particular, asthma and those patients with suspected asthma. 

"The grant has enabled us to purchase a FeNo machine which can be used as an aid in the diagnosis of asthma and also in the management of asthma in those that have symptoms despite using inhaled corticosteroids.

"The use of FeNo in Primary care is supported by NICE (Guidance NG80) and we hope that it will in turn improve patient outcomes and may reduce the need for onward referral to secondary care for testing."

The new GP Grant Scheme will see patients nominate their practice for a grant of up to £5,000. 

There will be a round of grants awarded each year and Nominations for the next round are being accepted now.

The grant is to be used for a specific, stated purpose: to buy a piece of equipment, chosen by the practice, which they can demonstrate a need for and which will benefit patients.

Trust chairman Terry Groves says this means the charity can help at a grassroots level, before patients are referred to secondary care:

If you feel that you have received exceptional care from your practitioners and you would like to nominate them for a grant, contact the Secretary of the Trust at secretary@hbnhealthcaretrust.org.im.

You can find details of the GP Grants how to go about contacting the Trust on their website.