Patients at Wexham Park Hospital are benefiting from pioneering treatment to improve the healing of diabetic foot wounds, thanks to a generous donation from the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and Associate Member, Alan Marsh.

The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation has donated £6,000, whilst Alan Marsh has personally donated a further £1,500, to support the hospital’s innovative use of oxygen therapy boots, directly helping more patients access the treatment.

The specialist oxygen boots are helping patients with diabetic foot ulcers heal significantly faster, reducing the risk of serious complications, including amputation, and reducing readmission caused by open wounds. The technology is being used in a different way, to boost in-patient healing for the first time in the UK. People with Diabetes are often amongst those with the longest hospital stays, and the new treatment is expected to help reduce recovery times, and improve long-term healing outcomes. 

Alan decided to support the initiative after experiencing the impact of diabetic foot complications himself. Having almost lost his toe twice, Alan credits the Diabetes and Podiatry team at Wexham Park Hospital with saving his toes and preventing life-changing surgery.

Dr Hema Heffernan, Consultant Diabetologist, shared, “We have long been looking for a treatment that can boost healing for our patients, and we are thrilled that thanks to a donation from Mr Alan Marsh, one of our former patients, and the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, we have been able to start using this treatment. We are already seeing really promising results, and we hope that we can secure funding to keep this treatment going.”

Frimley Health Charity is continuing to raise funds to support innovative projects like this, helping provide enhanced care and better outcomes for patients across Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Learn more about the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and its charitable activities.