The Conquest Hospital MRI Scanner Appeal

Consultant Radiologist at the Conquest hospital, Dr Lesley Apthorp, accompanied by the MRI Scanner Appeal Manager, Mike Eastwod, was the guest speaker at our meeting on 19^th April. Lesley, a consultant at the Conquest for 18 years, spoke about how thirteen years ago the MRI scanner at the Conquest was then state of the art and one of the most advanced in British Hospitals.  It is now one of the oldest, prone to breakdowns and unable to perform the range of scans now required for diagnoses leading to an inefficient and insufficient service for the local 400,000 catchment area it serves. Advances in technology now mean that modern MRI scanners are able to help diagnoses in many more medical conditions and can help avoid invasive procedures. As a result many patients have to be referred to other authorities for appropriate scans. MRI technology can now help diagnoses in prostrate and breast cancer, strokes, cardiology, gastric inflammatory cases and more besides.

A new scanner would enable these procedures to be carried out locally, increase capacity and lead to better patient outcomes. However, scanners are not cheap and, although the local health authority will fund a new MRI suite, they cannot afford the £1million needed for the scanner purchase. To celebrate 25 years since the opening of the Conquest hospital The Friends of the Conquest Hospital have initiated an appeal to raise the £1million. Lesley said that to date the public response has been overwhelming and over £600,000 has already been raised. With the promise of £250,000 cash match the appeal committee are hopeful of reaching their target by the end of the year with the scanner being installed next year.

Rotarian Jon Relfe proposed the vote of thanks for such an informative talk. President Glyn Parry then announced that the MRI Scanner Appeal would be one of the main beneficiaries of the Classic Car Show proceeds but in the meantime he was pleased to handover a cheque to help the appeal.

To learn more or donate to the MRI scanner appeal, please click here