Bridgnorth Hospital friends fund £40,000 machine
New hospital equipment worth almost £40,000 has been handed over to medics thanks to the efforts of a fundraising group.
The League of Friends of Bridgnorth Hospital presented the equipment to staff at the surgery unit.
The League, which continually raises money for the hospital, said the £38,267 jet air steriliser cabinet was vital for patients. They added it would also mean people living in the town or surrounding area would now not need to travel to Telford or Shrewsbury for treatment.
The group raises money for fabric and equipment for patients at Bridgnorth Hospital through coffee mornings, table top sales, grand draws and an annual fundraising gala. Friends secretary Carol Howell said: "??We are thrilled to present this new piece of equipment. for use in the day surgery unit. The equipment, which has been funded to the sum of £38,267 by the League of Friends of Bridgnorth Hospital, is an Autoscope jet air steriliser cabinet for use in the day surgery unit.
"??This item replaces one which is used for several existing day surgery lists and, had it not been funded, would have resulted in a reduction of services offered by the hospital.
"??This in turn would have meant patients having to travel to Princess Royal Hospital in Telford or Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for treatment."
The donation follows a long line of gifts from the friends group over the past few years.
The group gave £60,000 for a state-of-art sterilising machine to disinfect equipment used to examine patients, lowering the risk of infection, in December last year.
An AER machine cost £38,270 and replaced an NHS machine which was coming to the end of its life. The friends group also provided two mobility aids for the in-patient wards to help patients being transferred from their beds and assist with standing during the same month.
In July 2012 the friends agreed to spend £7,558 on ophthalmology equipment for the diagnostic and day surgery unit. The move meant minor eye surgery could be carried out at Bridgnorth Hospital.
The diagnostic and day surgery unit was itself officially opened in June 2011 year after a £500,000 refurbishment.
The League of Friends gave £250,000 towards the work, which was matched by the former Shropshire Primary Care Trust.
