YORK Hospital has taken delivery of a new heart scanner worth more than £50,000 following a huge fundraising campaign by the British Heart Foundation.
Grateful cardiologists and managers at Wigginton Road said the instrument, called a 2D echocardiograph, wiould cut waiting times by half and benefit thousands of patients in the region.
Consultant cardiologist Dr Nigel Durham said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the British Heart Foundation for helping us to fund a new echocardiograph machine costing £50,500.
“The new machine looks at the structure of the patient’s heart which helps to diagnose heart conditions and ultimately saves lives.
“The machine will also reduce our waiting times for scans from six to three weeks, ensuring patients are seen as quickly as possible. Thank you to everyone in the community who supported this appeal.”
The echocardiograph was handed over yesterday following months of fundraising, spearheaded by Fiona Turner, of the foundation.
She said: “I am delighted that the 2D Echo is now in the hospital.
“It will make a tremendous difference to the lives of the thousands of heart patients who are treated there as staff will be able to carry out more scans.
“Everyone in York has been so supportive of this appeal and I want to thank everyone who has been involved.
“I am staggered by your generosity, which has enabled us to raise £50,656 in just five months.
“We really couldn’t have done it without your support.”
She said the people of York reached the fundraising target in April; only five months after the BHF launched its appeal.
Fantastic effort
WITH the threatened closure of Leeds Cardiac Unit hanging over us, how good to report that a £50,000 echocardiograph has been presented to York Hospital’s Cardiac Department by The British Heart Foundation (BHF).
It comes thanks to the generosity of people in York who raised the money in April, only five months after the BHF launched the appeal.
This is a fantastic effort and we applaud everyone who helped reach the target. Staff at the hospital say the new machine will now slash waiting time for scans from six to three weeks.
And that will be welcome news for thousands of patients.
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