The Lymphoedema department at Dorset County Hospital has received a generous donation from Wimborne-based charity Going for Bust.

The £4,000 donation has funded a Lymph Scanner which will be used to detect and monitor lymphoedema – a condition which causes swelling of the arms and legs, and in other parts of the body. Early detection allows hospital staff to intervene when the condition is mild. This is when treatments are more likely to succeed and can also help to prevent damage caused by the condition.

The equipment is a compact, all-in-one unit with an integrated probe, pressure system and display screen which shows percentages of water in the body. The equipment is particularly useful in assessing breast oedemas which cannot be measured using traditional techniques.

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Lymphoedema Nurse Specialist Emma Diaz was involved in discussions with Going for Bust prior to securing the donation.

Emma said: “This scanner will be invaluable in finding and treating lymphoedema especially with our breast oedema patients. We already have one scanner, which Going for Bust generously provided in 2017. We use it every day and now our caseload has increased we know our patients will greatly benefit from a second monitor.”

Michelle Ormston of Going for Bust said: “We are so pleased to be able to fund this equipment for a second time and know that it will benefit many Breast Cancer patients.”

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Going for Bust has provided considerable support for patients at Dorset County Hospital over recent years. In 2020 they enabled Dorset County Hospital to buy specialist biopsy equipment for use in the hospital’s Breast Care Unit which allows more accurate diagnosis of breast cancer.

Dorset County Hospital Charity continues to work with its many supporters, donors and fundraisers raising money for departments right across the Hospital. To make a donation or find out more please visit www.dchcharity.org.uk . To contact the DCH Charity team phone 01305 253215 or email Charity@dchft.nhs.uk