Locally funded equipment helps thousands get tested

The lung function machine was paid for by donations to Salisbury Hospital's Stars Appeal

Medical equipment funded by a hospital appeal is improving care for thousands of lung patients a year.

The lung function machine, which was paid for by donations to Salisbury Hospital's Stars Appeal, means local people no longer have to travel as far as Southampton or Bournemouth for diagnostic testing.

The £74,000 piece of equipment helps patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, cancer, and heart conditions by monitoring how well their lungs are functioning.

"I need regular testing for my lung disease, so it makes a huge difference to be able to have these tests done locally," said Kirsty Dudin, from Stratford-sub-Castle in Wiltshire.

Each year, about 2,000 patients rely on the hospital's service, with about 3,500 tests performed.

Ms Dudin, 76, said it was easier to get regular appointments and she felt "very well cared for".

"I feel very special and fortunate to be benefitting from the generosity of a lot of local citizens," she added.

'A huge difference'

Punam Korat, the hospital's lead respiratory and sleep physiologist, said: "If this machine had not been funded by the Stars Appeal, we wouldn't have been able to do the tests our patients need, and they would have had to be sent to other hospitals.

"Our patients can now be seen more quickly, and we can perform a specialist muscle function test that was previously unavailable."

The Stars Appeal aims to raise £2m each year to provide the latest diagnostic and treatment equipment, enhancements to buildings, and ongoing projects including support for people with cancer and a dedicated play assistant on the Children's Unit.