Patients in Redditch are set to benefit from a brand-new ultrasound scanner.
People with suspected urological conditions are now able to receive their treatment or investigations quicker thanks to the donation of an ultrasound scanning machine to the Alexandra Hospital.
The top-of-the-range scanner has been purchased after more than £75,000 worth of donations by the hospital's League of Friends.
Consultant Urologist Vincent Koo said: "This new scanner will increase our capacity to do more prostate biopsies at shorter waiting times.
"We can also use it to perform kidney stone surgery by targeting the kidney to accurately make a puncture hole to access the stone directly.
"With this second scanner, we are now able to perform more procedures as we can offer prostate biopsies at the same time as kidney stone surgery within the department.
"Thank you to the League of Friends for this generous donation that will really help our patients."
The ultrasound scanner is used as a diagnostic tool to scan organs such as the kidney, liver, bladder and gallbladder with the urology department also using it to help perform prostate biopsies and kidney stone surgery.
It is expected that the new scanner will help more than 500 patients a year by enabling more prostate biopsies to be carried out which will help to reduce waiting times for patients.
The new machine is the urology department's second ultrasound scanner at the hospital, which means that two patients can now receive treatment or investigations at the same time.
The state-of-the-art scanner can also receive software updates to keep up-to-date with the latest technology and can be attached to compatible probes.
The chairman of the Alexandra Hospital's League of Friends, Rosemary Dixon, said: “When we were made aware of the benefit that this equipment would bring to the local community we were delighted to help purchase the scanner.
"We are also aware of how anxious people can become whilst waiting for a diagnosis and how an early scan can bring good news to those who need no further treatment.
"The League is grateful for the support of our members, friends, volunteers and Coffee Shop customers, all of whom make it possible for us to provide equipment for the Alex and comforts for patients and staff."
The League of Friends have been supporting patients and staff since the hospital first opened nearly 40 years ago with their donations totalling more than £6 million over the years.
To volunteer or find out more email alx-friends@nhs.net or call 01527512009.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here