Stroud Hospital now boasts the latest in x-ray facilities for its patients, thanks to the generosity of the League of Friends.

The new ‘Intuition’ equipment provides clear digital images in seconds which means a very quick experience for patients and uploads the images to a central server so that they can be shared with a range of healthcare specialists as required.

The equipment has been housed in a newly refurbished x-ray room at the hospital. The new X Ray machine costing £140,000 is being paid for by Stroud Hospitals League of Friends and the works on the X Ray room were undertaken by Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust.

David Miller, chair of the League of Friends, said: “We have been supporting the fine x-ray department at Stroud General Hospital for many years and know it is extremely busy, covering inpatients, outpatient clinics, the minor injury and illness unit and patients referred by GPs.”

Dr Roy Lamb, president of the League of Friends, added: “While it is the Friends who  have contributed, it’s the people of Stroud who have made this possible and we have contributed on their behalf.”

Sue Ward, lead radiographer for community hospitals, said the new equipment would offer patients quick diagnoses and allow the department  to run more efficiently.

She added: “For the smaller x-rays they can take about nine seconds, so people can be in here for moments and almost by the time you are telling them it’s finished the x-ray is done.

“The images are really sharp and with this machine the radiation dose is really low as well. This is very up-to-date equipment which means we can provide a very up-to-date service.”

Welcoming the donation at a presentation on Wednesday 27 January, Gloucestershire Care Services chair Ingrid Barker said: “We value the League of Friends because they are genuine friends, offering great support as well as much needed links and networks with the local community. This is hugely appreciated.”

The equipment was also sourced locally, through Stonehouse-based company Xograph.

Photo shows (from left to right): Juliette Richardson, Matron; Dr Roy Lamb, President of League of Friends; Ingrid Barker, Chair of Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust; Sue Ward, Lead radiographer; Daryl Cockings, Advanced Practitioner – Imaging; David Miller, Chairman of League of Friends; Mike Biro, General Manager of Xograph.