Hopes of new ultrasound scanner for Ludlow Hospital
A town hospital should get its own ultrasound facilities this year, it has been revealed, as NHS bosses have confirmed plans are being drawn up.
Hopes for ultrasound at Ludlow Hospital were thought to be in limbo as decisions are still set to be made over the future of services there as part of the county-wide NHS Future Fit review.
However, the hospital's League of Friends has pledged to pay the £45,000 to £65,000 price tag for the equipment if it is given the go-ahead.
Now Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) – which would deliver the service, despite the main hospital being run by Shropshire CommunityHealth NHS Trust (ShropCom) – has confirmed the idea is being looked at seriously.
A statement released by ShropCom says: "
The service will provide abdomen and pelvic scans and appropriate patients will be referred to the service following a decision by their GP that a diagnostic scan is required.
"This development provides direct access to diagnostics which will both reduce waiting times for patients and also reduce the need for travel to an acute site (Shrewsbury or Telford).
"Whilst the service provides an expert ultrasound service, some patients with either complex needs or requiring specialist scans will still need to be seen at an acute hospital. The development is subject to a feasibility assessment to ensure that the local health economy will receive value for money."
