Speaker Catherine Mondoa

Rotary club of Stirling meeting of 5/8/16

IPP Peter Mehta welcomed members, and our speaker Catherine Mondoa to our Friday meeting. He thanked President Alan for his hospitality at last Sunday's president's at home, most enjoyable despite the variable weather. The AM/AM at Stirling golf club on 26th August is making good progress although a few places are still available. Robin Sutton drew our attention to the Inner Wheel visit to the Bridge of Allan opera's performance of White Xmas on 20th October, inviting members to add their names to the list.

Our speaker Catherine Mondoa, consultant cardiology nurse was well known to many club members. Catherine has been involved, from its inception, in the healthy hearts group set up at SRI to support and advise patients with heart disease. At an early stage it developed formal links with the Peak, where it has its own unit, thus linking in with fitness provision and health advice for the general public. Although officially retired Catherine is Hon president of the Healthy Heart's group, and still takes part in sessions in her own time. She is a keen advocate of exercise and healthy diet, but also empathizes the importance of advice and support for post coronary patients, not only from doctors and nurses but equally from family, friends and the community at large. Since she first became involved, the management of heart disease has advanced hugely. The importance of prompt and appropriate early intervention, the available drugs and many more surgical possibilities have much improved the outlook.  Locally we now have six cardiology consultants in place.
Depending on the initial findings patients may be admitted locally or sent straight to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Catherine gave us an update on pacemakers, ranging from a simple unit to correct irregular rhythm to larger units which control heart failure with leads to all four heart chambers. As always Catherine communicated her enthusiasm and her care for her patients. The vote of thanks was given by Sandy Morrison. Our next meeting is a business meeting, visitor's host Alan Prentice.  For further information, www.stirling.rotary1010.org

Dr I Richardso