Urology patients benefitting from new ultrasound scanner donated to Alexandra Hospital

Patients with suspected urological conditions are now able to receive their treatment or investigations more quickly, thanks to the donation of a brand-new ultrasound scanning machine to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

The top-of-the-range scanner has been purchased after more than £75,000 worth of donations by the hospital’s League of Friends.

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, enabling more patients to be seen more quickly and helping to reduce waiting times.

The state-of-the-art scanner can receive software updates that keep it constantly up-to-date with the latest technology and can even be attached to compatible probes which in future will enable laparoscopic and robotic kidney cancer surgery to take place using the machine.

Consultant Urologist, Mr 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.”

Chairman of the Alexandra Hospital 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 Alexandra Hospital’s League of Friends have been a very active charity supporting patients and staff at the Redditch hospital since it first opened nearly 40 years ago, with their donations since then totalling over £6million. 

If you’re interested in volunteering for or finding out more about the Alexandra Hospital League of Friends, you can contact the League by email: [email protected] or by telephone: 01527 512009.