Appeal goes live. Public asked for Just £1

PRESS RELEASE   11 February 2011

DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL CHARITY ASKS FOR JUST £1

Dorset County Hospital’s Charitable Fund is launching its 2011 Appeal to the public.

They are asking everyone who has been treated at the hospital in the past three years to donate Just £1 to the appeal in February to help it raise half a million pounds to fund the installation of digital mammography equipment. 

Hospital Governor, Wendy Nightingale, who has had breast cancer, volunteered to lead the Appeal.  She said: “News this month that breast cancer figures have been revised from one in nine to one in eight women is a sobering thought.  One in four of these women will die from this disease. Three hundred men are diagnosed each year in the UK with breast cancer.

“The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the rate of survival.

“Digital mammography is a pressing need for our Hospital. The need is now and hope that with the help of our community we can raise the money as soon as possible. We want the very best for our patients and to be able to safe-guard this vital service in our Hospital.

“By giving us Just £1, or the price of voting in X-Factor or Strictly Come Dancing, Dorset residents can make a huge difference.”

“Will you help us by donating Just £1?”

The much needed equipment will take diagnostic imaging for breast cancer from film and chemicals to digital. The benefits for the Hospital and patients are enormous: faster diagnosis, much more accurate detection and the ability to treat greater numbers - keeping DCHFT abreast with technological advancements in health care.

Superintendent Radiographer Sue Green added: “We currently have one X-ray device in the Breast Care Unit which is now 12 years old. It uses a film-based imaging process. This processing takes time and has now been superseded by far superior digital imaging which yields instant images and which Radiographers are being trained to use.

"The old equipment was the best of its kind when we bought it but it is now outdated.  It is getting harder to repair as some parts are no longer available.  It is the same as your own washing machine: at some point it’s just better to buy a new one.”

With a national shortage of consultant radiologists with expertise in imaging and interpreting breast radiographs, the hospital needs to attract and retain the best consultants and to “future-proof” this service at the Hospital, and keep up with technological advancements.  Currently information cannot currently be shared with regional centres of excellence, including the Poole-based Dorset Breast Screening Unit.  Films have to be couriered between DCH and Poole, which costs money and delays diagnosis.  

There will be auctions and raffles over the next few weeks including two gifts from the Charity’s Patron’s, Oliver Letwin MP and Philippa Clunes who have donated Tea for Two in the House of Commons, and a walk on part in the next Doc Martin series! 

Anyone who has been treated at the hospital, or their families or friends can donate at any branch of Barclays, by dropping money into the collection boxes around the hospital or by going to www.boostdch.co.uk to pledge money or get exciting fundraising ideas.

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