New cardiac monitors are vitally needed before the new Emergency Department opens in the autumn.

Senior charge nurse Richard Rees-Jones has issued the appeal on behalf of his team.

Richard moved to Airedale Hospital two years ago and leads a team including staff nurse Qusva Ilyas.

Richard said the equivalent used currently in the accident and emergency unit is out-of-date.

He said: “The tests we perform for the critically-ill and trauma patients can take time, and we don’t always have the luxury of time at these moments.

“Having the new cardiac monitors will mean we can perform five vital tests at once.”

Proceeds from the Emergency Department appeal will allow staff to buy state-of-the-art cardiac monitors, which are detachable. This means they can travel with a seriously-ill patient to their CT scan or MRI and still record vital information along the way.

Richard added: “The cardiac monitors are a much-needed part of our new unit and we are thankful to anyone who donates to the appeal to help us purchase this life-saving equipment.”