Publicans launch hospital scanner bid (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Publicans launch hospital scanner bid

A GROUP of pub licensees has launched an appeal to help Cirencester Hospital raise £80,000 for a lifesaving scanning machine.

Cirencester and District Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA) hopes to raise the cash to pay for the new Toshiba Aplio Ultrasound Scanner.

The hospital's current ultrasound scanner can only be used for scanning unborn babies and diagnosing kidney and bladder problems.

The new machine, which sends ultrasonic waves into the body and transmits pictures to a display monitor, will also enable the hospital to test patients for thyroid problems and possible blood clot conditions like deep vein thrombosis.

LVA chairman Dick Selby, landlord of the Drillmans Arms, in Gloucester Road, Cirencester came up with the idea.

He said: "I came up for a test for a blood clot and was treated well by the staff but unfortunately had to go to Cheltenham General Hospital to have the scan because they had no equipment here.

"I thought, what can we do as a body of all the licensees in Cirencester and enquired about the costs and made the decision to go ahead and try over the next two years to raise money for it."

The idea, added Mr Selby, is for individual pubs to hold their own fundraising events and contact him with the details.

The LVA already has a golf tournament and a banquet planned to boost the fund, and Mr Selby has volunteered for a wing walk on a bi-plane at Rendcomb airfield after a challenge was made to him by another licensee.

Cirencester Hospital matron Barbara Ruthers said the new scanner would enable the hospital to improve their services.

She said: "We have a fairly outdated machine. It's reliable for certain scanning but we can't do all the scans.

"The new machine will be able to offer our patients a quality service.

"It's something we would not be able to afford as a hospital and we do rely on the generosity of our public, and that's either through voluntary bodies like the LVA or the hospital's League of Friends who give great support to the hospital."

Anyone who would like to help the appeal can contact Mr Selby on 01285 653892.