A HOSPITAL has been able to buy special equipment to help in the fight against breast cancer thanks to a major funding boost from a local charity.

A generous £10,000 donation from breast cancer charity Going for Bust has enabled radiology staff at Dorset County Hospital to buy an important new piece of diagnostic equipment for the hospital’s Breast Care Unit.

Going for Bust are a Wimborne-based charity dedicated to raising funds for local hospitals and breast cancer support groups through a number of charity shops in Dorset and Hampshire - and their donation of £10,000 in January of last year has now funded a state-of-the-art vacuum assisted biopsy machine which is not currently available through NHS budgets.

The hospital has said that the new equipment will transform the experience of an estimated 50 patients a year, enabling staff to improve the quality of treatment services for breast care patients by increasing the accuracy of diagnoses and reducing unnecessary surgical procedures. The new service will also reduce waiting times for surgical treatment of breast cancer and remove the need for some patients to travel to other hospitals for treatment.

The hospital said staff are already trained to use the new equipment and are pleased to have this tool to assist them with their work.

Doreen Cox, consultant radiologist at Dorset County Hospital said: “We are immensely grateful to Going for Bust for supporting the breast service at Dorset County Hospital. Their generosity has permitted us to provide a vastly improved diagnostic experience for patients by allowing local access to advanced technology”

Michelle Ormston from Going for Bust said: “We are so pleased to be able to help the Breast Care Unit and know that the equipment will benefit so many patients.”

Going for Bust has previously supported the Dorchester hospital through a £7,686 donation for a specialist Breast Board used in radiotherapy treatment and £5,000 for Light Therapy equipment.

Dorset County Hospital Charity continues to work with many supporters, donors and fundraisers raising money for departments across the hospital.

To find out more contact the charity by calling 01305 253215 or email Charity@dchft.nhs.uk