Scanner appeal
Current aims:
The scanner appeal is currently continuing to raise money to support new and innovative projects within imaging, throughout the Derby and Burton hospitals, particularly the x-ray departments. These are often very expensive projects and take some time and patience to fund.
Current potential goals include the acquisition of software to allow the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) in the assessment of abnormalities such as lung nodules. The radiologists in the main x-ray department are currently discussing with the Trust in what areas this development is important and well researched. The scanner appeal can then help with important areas where NHS funds are not available.
There is a new hybrid theatre at the Royal Derby hospital where complex interventional procedures can be done as a day case ,rather than needing to be admitted for surgery, much better for the patient. Colleagues are currently assessing this new facility and will soon feedback as to whether there are additional, often small pieces of equipment or software that would make all the difference to the innovative functioning of this new facility.
The nuclear medicine department are purchasing a new gamma camera, which is very expensive. However, funds from the scanner appeal might make all the difference to the possibility of upgrading the expected solid state model to the top of the range auger gamma camera. These are all under careful discussion.
Previous purchases:
The scanner appeal has continued since the charity began in 1983. Amazingly, at that time more than the required £600, 000 was raised and in addition to the whole body CT scanner, extra items were purchased to add to this equipment, making it even more valuable to the local population including equipment to allow planning for radiotherapy. Later in 1999 a link was funded between the Derby CT scanner and Queens medical centre in Nottingham to allow specialist neurosurgeons to review the scans without the patient having to travel immediately.
Over the years the scanner appeal has continued to receive generous donations and legacies, the most recent in 2022 of a fantastic amount of £57,000.
Many different pieces of equipment have been purchased over the years, to allow the development of new imaging facilities either in the main x-ray department or for imaging in other areas such as the intensive care unit. These have included for example:
- Portable ultrasound machine for ITU, allowing immediate assessment, without having to transfer a very ill patient to the x-ray department, or to guide a procedure on the ward.
- Transthoracic echocardiogram unit for ITU to assess cardiac function and allow immediate action
- Ultrasound equipment to guide brachial plexus blocks (anaesthetic department)
DOnate
The aim of the Derby and Burton Breast and Eye charity is to raise funds for the purchase of new and state of the art equipment for the NHS locally.