The Chest & Heart charity provides free health screenings to residents as well as ongoing services where required.‌

His Excellency, Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell was asked to take on the official role and Centre Manager Julie Jones said she was pleased when he agreed to be involved in their work.

“We are absolutely thrilled and honoured that His Excellency has agreed to become our patron as his endorsement is a reflection of how important our service is to the community.

“For us to maintain what is potentially a life-changing health screening service, it is critical that we build our profile so that people understand we rely completely on charitable donations,” said Mrs Jones.

“Ours is a professionally-led organisation that supports health equality but the stark reality is that, without the support of the public, the service could cease operating altogether, something we sincerely hope won’t happen.”

The Lt Governor will be making an official visit to the Chest & Heart clinic, based at the Oberlands, early next month. Staff will be demonstrating how their facility works and what they do. 

Pictured: The Chest & Heart clinic is at the hospital.

The work done by the Chest & Heart LBG dates back to the early 1970s when the late Doctor Sam Gregory first suggested a new free health screening service.

The first clinic opened at the PEH in 1974, called the Guernsey Chest and Heart Association. The facility was extended in the 1990s when a 99 year lease was agreed between the charity and the States for the site.

The Chest and Heart service remains entirely self-funded and is run independently of the States, as a registered charity. It was re-formed as an LBG in 2005 with a board of directors overseeing the work of the centre manager and her team which includes nurses and secretarial staff.