14 October 2008
A state of the art portable scanner used to help detect Deep Vein Thrombolysis (DVT) and a range of other conditions has been donated to the Clinical Assessment Unit (CAU) at St Helier Hospital. The CAU is used to assess patients with emergency conditions before they are then either discharged or referred to a specialist ward for treatment.
The scanner, a Micromaxx System Doppler Machine, was given to Dr Dilip Shah, consultant general physician in emergency medial care, by volunteers from the St Helier League of Friends. They raised over £20,000 to pay for the scanner which is also used to check how a patient's kidneys are working.
Dr Shah said: "Deep Vein Thrombolysis is very dangerous condition. The scanner will allow us to check patients at their bedside and decisions about their future course of treatment will be made much faster. We are really grateful to the Friends for their donation - it is excellent."
Volunteer Diana Everington said the League was pleased to have assisted. She said: "We raised the money through profits from the hospital's tea bar, our shop, donations from current and previous patients and a rigorous programme of fundraising activities throughout the year."
Staff in the St Helier CAU see between 30 to 60 patients each day with a range of conditions including respiratory, epilepsy, head injury, chest and abdominal pains.
CAU Sister, Rosemary Hunt, said: "This is a very fast moving unit and it is vital we have reliable equipment in which to work with. We are extremely grateful to the generosity of the Friends."
