New machine is an ultrasound investment for patients
A new ultrasound machine means that patients will be able to get scans sooner, and it will also help train the next generation of sonographers and radiologists.
The state-of-the-art £90,000 machine and room at Basildon Hospital, which was funded by Health Education England, can be used for a wide range of scans such as abdominal, thyroid, testicular, paediatrics and musculoskeletal.
Anne Lear, consultant sonographer, said: “This is a marvellous addition to our three existing machines at Basildon, which are running seven days a week, and will be of great benefit to our patients and the dedicated staff treating them.
“As well as having better resources to train future sonographers and radiology registrars it will help us to reduce patient backlogs in the process. This investment in resources means we’ll be able to train people locally and will help us keep hold of that essential talent at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust which is great news for patients and staff.”
Currently, the Trust has five specialist registrar radiologists who are training in ultrasound. One of those is Dr Suresh Vijayananda, who explained what impact this new machine will have.
“Ultrasound is a very hands-on profession, where you spend time examining the patients yourself. This new room and machine will help give us that time to develop and achieve those essential practical skills under supervision and deliver the very best service to our patients at what can be a stressful and worrying time for them."