THOSE suffering rheumatoid arthritis could be diagnosed quicker, if a fundraising campaign is successful.

The Friends of Dorset County Hospital are looking to raise £20,000 to get a new ultrasound machine for the rheumatology department at Dorset County Hospital (DCH).

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue. It can lead to pain, swelling and joint stiffness.

This new machine would help with early diagnosis and treatment for the condition.

Matron for Specialist Medicine, Julie Knight, said: “Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose as the diagnosis is based on a whole package of tests. An ultrasound scan is an important part of this package.

“We do have ultrasound scans in the hospital but none that are readily available to the rheumatology department. By having our own dedicated machine we will be able to make treatment decisions more quickly.

“Early diagnosis is very important as the condition can rapidly worsen so early intervention can help to avoid long-term problems.

“We are really grateful to have the support of the Friends and to be chosen for their new fundraising initiative.”

About 400,000 people in the UK aged 16 and over are affected by the condition. DCH alone sees about 4,000 patients each year and 160 patients referred a month.

The ultrasound machine would scan a patient’s joints to check for any inflammation or damage. It can both help with diagnosing the condition and to check on its development.

This initiative comes following a similar Friends’ fundraising of £17,000 last year to get an ultrasound machine for the Respiratory Department.

Chairman of the Friends Barbara Purnell said: “We saw what a difference our purchase of an ultrasound machine made to the respiratory department so when we were approached by the rheumatology Department for a similar piece of equipment, we were only too delighted to make this our new fundraising initiative.

“We are very excited about this new project and we hope the community will get behind us as before and help us to raise the much-needed funds.”

For more information, visit friendsofdorsetcountyhospital.co.uk or contact friends@dchft.nhs.uk or 01305 255896.