Physiotherapy patients to benefit from vital new equipment
27 October 2014
Fundraising
The Advanced Surgical Equipment Trust (ASET) has recently donated vital medical equipment to the rehabilitation outpatients department of Southend University Hospital.
A new £26,000 ultrasound scanner and a £1,000 water bath will
ensure physiotherapy patients get better treatment and a smoother
experience as the department continues its drive to be a one-stop
clinic.
Billy Fashanu and Dr Hubert van Griensven, consultant
physiotherapists, said: "We want to improve the patient journey by
making it clearer and quicker. The new ultrasound scanner will
enable us to carry out guided injections with greater accuracy.
Being able to see the needle means we can target affected tissues
more effectively."
The other piece of equipment was a replacement water bath, an
essential piece of equipment for hand therapy as it helps to mould
hand splints for patients after surgery as well as stroke patients
and other hand-related injuries.
"Up to 200 splints a month are produced," explains Beverly
Loughborough, outpatient services manager, "so it was very
important that we were able to get a brand new replacement so
quickly to ensure our patients weren't affected."
John Gibson MBE, Appeals Director and Chairman of Trustees for
the Advanced Surgical Equipment Trust (ASET), added: "The vision is
for a one-stop clinic. Whereas before, a patient might have waited
up to eight weeks to find out scan results and be referred, the new
ultrasound scanner means they can be assessed and referred in the
same day! The charity focus has always been to support Southend
Hospital in providing new technology and equipment that will
improve patient care."
The hand therapy team led by Hannah Wackett, Sarah Golding and
Brian O'Hare expressed their sincere gratitude to Mr Gibson and
ASET.
PHOTO: (l-r): Bev Loughborough, outpatient services
manager; Dr Hubert Van Griensven, consultant physiotherapist; Billy
Fashanu, consultant physiotherapist; John Gibson MBE, Appeals
Director and Chairman of Trustees for the Advanced Surgical
Equipment Trust (ASET).