NHS charity funds ultrasound equipment for Gastroenterology Department

Pictured above: Dr Ian Rees with the scanner.

Thanks to the generous donations, Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, has been able to fund a new Point of Contact Ultrasound (POCUS) for the Gastroenterology Department at Prince Philip Hospital.

In 2024 Eleanor Marks organised a Lady Captain’s Charity Day at Ashburnham Golf Club in memory of her late husband, Robert Marks, who received exemplary care from the Gastroenterology Department. The event raised £3,094 which went towards the new equipment.

Nicola Reeve, Lead Hepatology Nurse, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Eleanor Marks and her supporters for their efforts that have allowed us to purchase this equipment.

“The POCUS will be extremely beneficial in monitoring patients with decompensated liver disease with abdominal ascites. It will allow us to assess any abdominal fluid with the aim of reducing the burden of medication for our patients.

“It will also reduce the need for hospital admission as the monitoring can be carried out by our doctors and specialist nurses in the outpatient’s environment.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

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