A GROUP is attempting to raise £60,000 to go towards new X-ray and ultrasound equipment for Bridport Community Hospital.

The League of Friends of Bridport Hospital, a registered charity, has been asked by the NHS to assist in getting the money together to replace existing equipment, including the X-ray machine.

Under the terms of the tie-up, the group will source £60,000, while the NHS will provide the remaining £200,000 needed.

Heather Purse, chairman of The League of Friends of Bridport Community Hospital, said that it was not unusual for the hospital to need financial assistance of this kind, although the vast majority of their work centred on patient comforts.

Some parts of the X-ray equipment are up to 26 years old.

“Dorset healthcare has enough to cover the structural work of the X-ray room and most of the cost of the machines but need a little extra. The money raised will go towards improvements to the X-ray room structure, a new X-ray machine and a new ultrasound machine,” she said.

“The X-ray machine that they have is limping and some parts are no longer available. It is at a tipping point in that if it does fail they might not be able to get it working again.

“We hope to have the equipment in around Christmas but really as soon as funds make it possible. It will be a stretch and I don’t know if we will achieve it.

“We are looking to raise the profile of what we do and get people to support us.”

Iain Luscombe, radiology service manager, said: “Bridport Community Hospital’s new digital X-ray room will continue to provide an excellent local diagnostic imaging service.”

He added: “The new digital X-ray room utilises technology allowing faster examination times, less radiation and greater image quality, providing significant benefits for patients, radiology staff and referring clinicians.”

Sue Herman, secretary of the League of Friends of Bridport Hospital, said: “We have already put in £20,000 to start and will hold more fundraisers, including writing competitions, to gather the remainder.

“We also hope the League of Friends’ membership will rise and that money can then also go towards the total.”

Among items bought this year for Bridport Hospital were two data scopes which enable staff to take and record blood pressures, heart rates and peripheral oxygen levels on patients