Spire Manchester Hospitals' Cardiac Radiographer volunteers at paediatric cardiac centre in Jamaica

Spire Manchester Hospital Cardiac Radiographer, Rizwan Rashid, has returned from spending a week volunteering with the UK based charity Chain of Hope  in Jamaica, where they have the first dedicated paediatric cardiac centre in the region. He worked alongside the local cardiac team at the Bustamante Hospital for Children to perform catheterisation procedures on children suffering from congenital heart disease and together they saved the lives of 12 children.

While in Jamaica, Rizwan joined lead Cardiologist Dr Robert Yates from Great Ormond Street Hospital who was operating, and supporting him was Dr Sharrone Forrester from Jamaica as Lead Cardiologist, Head of Cardiology at Bustamante Hospital. Rizwan joined Dr Yates to help develop the Cardiac Radiography and the Cardiac Physiology service. He supported and helped develop the local team in their cardiac catheter lab in complex congenital heart conditions by teaching imaging and pressure measurements in the heart chambers and greater vessels.

Chain of Hope carefully recruits and compiles teams of world-leading cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, specialist physicians, nurses and technicians who volunteer their time to share their skills in developing countries. The volunteers come together with the common goal of providing a high level of care for children with heart disease.

Rizwan Rashid, Cardiac Radiologist at Spire Manchester Hospital, said: “This was one of the most gratifying experiences of my life. The braveness of the patients, the hard work of the entire team from surgeons and theatre teams to the organisational staff, and the gratitude of the patients and surgeon delegates was humbling and something I will never forget. Thank you to Chain of Hope for allowing me to be part of this journey.”

Jonathan Thewlis, Hospital Director at Spire Manchester Hospital, said: “We are all so proud of the work Rizwan has undertaken in Jamaica with the charity Chain of Hope. This is incredible work – to give your expertise, knowledge, and time to support and care for those who need it the most is wonderful. He has made a significant difference and is an inspiration to us all and we are proud to have him as part of the cardiac team at Spire Manchester team.”

Spire Manchester Hospital is consistently CQC rated ‘Outstanding’. For more information on our Cardiology services please call 0161 447 6700.

Rizwan Rashid and the Chain of Hope team at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Jamaica