MORE than 14,000 people have benefited from two CT scanners at Salisbury District Hospital in their first year of use.

The people of Salisbury raised an incredible £650,000 during the Stars Appeal CT Scanner Campaign in 2014, allowing the hospital to not only buy a new scanner but also significantly upgrade its existing one.

Lead radiologist Lucy Bushby said: "The new scanners have had measurable benefits to patients, both from the new technology they provide, the number of patients that can be scanned and reduced waiting times.

"The advantages of these wonderful new machines are being felt far and wide."

Consultants who refer patients for CT scans thanked the myriad of donors for their generosity.

Consultant in emergency medicine, Neil Robinson, said the scanners had meant patients with 'time critical' emergencies, such as strokes, major trauma and head injuries, were getting their diagnostic imaging more quickly.

"Taking major trauma and stroke as an example, Salisbury is now a top performer in the region for 'time to CT'," he said. "The value of the new CT scanners cannot be underestimated."

Helen Chave, consultant colorectal surgeon, added: "Much of my work involves helping people with bowel cancer.

"Thanks to the generous supporters of the CT Scanner Campaign, we can now offer quicker diagnosis, with faster treatment resulting in shorter hospital stays.

"My patients often tell me that not knowing if their cancer has spread is one of the hardest things for them.

"The new scanners have reduced this time of uncertainty and, as a result, lessened the stress and worry people experience a this difficult time."

Consultant paediatrician Carl Taylor said the new scanners were easier to access, used the latest technology and were quicker. "This is so much better for children who are often worried and frightened and importantly it involves less irradiation," he said.

Tamara Everington, consultant haematologist, added: "Our haematology patients have some of the highest scan utilisation of any group of patients in the hospital due to the need for surveillance through chemotherapy treatment.

"Alongside the reduction of waiting times and diagnosis, we can now start the patient's treatment journey much sooner, with a much shorter time spent 'in limbo'.

"In addition, the scanners produce much more detailed and accurate scans. Not only does this aid diagnosis, the degree of accuracy allows us to provide high precision reporting to aid research."