A NEW MRI scanning suite at Salisbury District Hospital was shown off to those who helped fund it.

A special ‘private view’ event was held to thank Stars Appeal supporters who helped fund the second MRI scanner and suite.

Donors and fundraisers were welcomed to the Stars Appeal MRI Scanning Suite for a behind the scenes tour of the facilities on Saturday, October 14.

The invited guests were given tours of the MRI Scanning Suite, which opened in 2021, by frontline staff, including surgeons, doctors and nurses who volunteer as ambassadors for the charity, and were able to meet members of the MRI radiology team.

Guests were welcomed to the event by the chair of the Stars Appeal Ambassadors, consultant surgeon Graham Branagan, who gave a presentation detailing the difference the £1.7million scanning suite and second MRI scanner have made to patients.

And patient ambassador Colin Ford, who has been diagnosed with three separate cancers, gave a moving speech describing how Stars Appeal projects, including state-of-the-art equipment, have helped him and his family through his treatment.

MRI scans are used to diagnose cancer, strokes, heart conditions, spinal and brain injuries and many other conditions. The additional MRI scanner and scanning suite have helped reduce waiting times and mean patients have to travel less to other hospitals.

They have also allowed for the introduction of new MRI scanning techniques such as cardiac MRI scans of the heart, while the Suite provides a spacious and relaxing environment for patients as well as enhanced facilities for staff.

Guests at the event where they were shown the new facilities. Picture: Inez Szczepanska

Guest Frances Yeats, who donated towards the facilities, said: “I’d like to thank everyone involved for such an excellent and friendly introduction to the new MRI Scanning Suite.

“I learned so much and feel most grateful for all the care and dedication of the hospital staff.

“I was really impressed by the courage of the patient ambassador too. Like many others, I shall continue to support the Star Appeal and Salisbury Hospital.”

Mr Branagan said: “It was a pleasure to show some of those who so generously contributed to our second MRI Scanner and MRI Scanning Suite the impact of their generosity.

A staff room in the Stars Appeal MRI Scanning Suite. Picture: Inez Szczepanska

“Thousands of people have already benefited from these facilities and tens of thousands more will over the years to come.

“All of us involved in the Stars Appeal are immensely proud of what has been achieved, which has been made possible by our many donors and fundraisers, to whom we extend our heartfelt thanks.”

To find out more about the project – and others funded by the Stars Appeal, visit www.starsappeal.org.