4:10pm Tuesday 13th May 2008
By Gary Bills-Geddes
LEDBURY Community Hospital should be able to offer X-ray facilities to local patients this summer for the first time in around two years.
The hospital, off Market Street, has been without X-ray facilities since 2006, when the old machine broke down and was condemned shortly afterwards.
The hospital's League of Friends has offered to fund a new machine, to be located in rooms close to the physiotherapy department.
This week, Dr Martin Crook, who has been liaising with both the Primary Care Trust and the League of Friends, confirmed: "Things are moving ahead."
He added: "It is my understanding that X-ray facilities could be in by the end of summer."
The full cost of the equipment is still to be announced.
But the League of Friends group is no stranger to writing large cheques to help the hospital.
They spent £40,000 on 13 new beds for the hospital in 2002.
They provided a further £10,000 for a scanner; £2000 for new flooring for a day room and £3,500 to renovate a sluice room in the hospital.
Friends spokesman, Bill Masefield said: "At the moment, if you break and ankle, you have to have it X-rayed at Hereford, Ross or Leominster."
"Basically, we have said we'll pay for a X-ray unit for Ledbury."
The end is now in sight, but Mr Masefield added; "I have not known such a long drawn-out procedure in my life."
Prices of X-ray machines vary, but typically they cost in the region of £10,000 or more.
Running costs, such as the price of film, chemistry and maintenance can be as much as £200 per month.
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