MP launches new £650,000 'life saving' gamma camera
June 14, 2009 3:18 PM
Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, visited St Helier Hospital on the 11th June 2009 to officially launch a brand new £650,000 gamma camera.
The hi-tech camera, which detects cancers and organ problems, offers patients from across Sutton, Merton and Epsom access to a faster and more accurate service. This means that patients can start their treatment earlier, which should help save lives.
The gamma camera detects a very small dose of a radioactive substance which is injected into a patient's body. This allows doctors to build up a picture of the way an organ such as a kidney, thyroid or heart is functioning. It also tells doctors about the progress of certain diseases such as prostate and cervical cancers.
Peter Coles, interim Chief Executive said: "We were delighted to welcome Tom to St Helier Hospital. Gamma cameras are the latest technology in the fight against cancer and other diseases. The new camera will give doctors more information about the patient's illness than ever before and will undoubtedly help save lives.
Tom Brake MP said: "A brilliant medical team now have a state-of-the-art gamma camera to help diagnose patients. This will make a huge difference to the health of local people. Well done St Helier Hospital."
This camera is one of a very small number available to patients across London and the south east. Peter Coles added: "Without the gamma camera, patients would have to travel out of the area to be scanned. Not only does this place an added burden on the patient, but it can slow down the time it takes patients to get scanned."
As well as installing the new camera, £100,000 has been spent on improving the unit in which it is based, providing a more comfortable environment for patients who are waiting to be scanned.
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