Top of the range heart scanner for Horton patients

Around 3,000 cardiac patients are seen at the Horton every year, many for heart scans and cardiac check-ups. It can be an anxious time as many will be worried about whether they have a heart condition, or how a previously diagnosed or treated condition may be progressing.

So Horton General Hospital Charity is delighted to have funded a major upgrade of the Horton echocardiography equipment by purchasing a state-of-the-art 3D scanner for the team.

This equipment, which cost £96,000, enables quicker and more accurate diagnosis, by providing clearer and more detailed images that help to detect subtle changes which might previously have been missed.

One of the first patients to benefit from the new kit was Philippa Carey, from Banbury.

Philippa, pictured with Aileen Causon and Nicky Thornton from the cardiac team, said: "I was really dreading coming in today, but the staff have been just fantastic - really putting me at ease. They mentioned they were using a new machine, and it was really reassuring to hear that this is the best of its kind. It was amazing to hear that the charity has funded it and to know just how many local people will benefit. I feel very lucky indeed."

Nicky Thornton, Lead Complex Physiologist said: "We are thrilled to have this equipment at the Horton. We will be using it on about 50 patients a week and because it is fully portable we can also take it out to other wards and departments to the patients that need it, which is ideal. It really is the next step in diagnostic imaging and it's great to have the very best for our patients."

Cassandra Hammond, Lead Echocardiographer for Oxford University Hospitals, said: "This is top of the range equipment; it is very easy to use with amazingly detailed images. This allows our teams to make to make quick accurate decisions with confidence.

"The machine also has capability to scan children and babies, as it has a paediatric and neonate probe. This will make the paediatricians' lives a lot easier and fewer little ones will have to be sent to the John Radcliffe for their scans. We are thrilled that this technology is now at the Horton."

Find out more about how you can support Horton General Hospital Charity at www.hospitalcharity.co.uk/horton