This in from the Friends of St Mary’s Hospital, in their own words. Ed
Feet and ankles are being much more effectively scanned on the MRI scanner at St Mary’s Hospital, thanks to a £18,049 donation from the hospital’s Friends.
Since the hospital received its new £1-million MRI scanner four years ago it has been equipped with various coils, each used for scanning a specific part of the body.
Donation by Friends makes scanning easier
“But what we did not have, because it was still under development, was one dedicated to scanning feet and ankles,” said Alistair Day, the MRI’s superintendent radiographer. “After it did become available we put in a bid to the Friends to purchase it, and are very grateful they agreed.”
He explained that the foot/ankle coil, which like the other coils emitted a radio frequency to the MRI scanner, was being used up to 15 times a month. “The patients have a whole range of foot/ankle conditions, from sports injuries to suspected cancerous tumours.
“The equipment basically speeds up the scans and increases the quality of the images, compared with what we had before. It’s been really useful.”
The Friends is an organisation largely made up of volunteers. It provides additional equipment and facilities to the NHS on the Island, thanks to the profits from its hospital shop and cafeterias, plus donations and legacies.
