Almost £2.75 million pounds is being spent by NHS Forth Valley on state-of-the-art medical equipment. This includes £213,000 for two ultrasound scanners for cardiology, anaesthetic machines in theatres and a big upgrade of equipment in the audiology department.

Although many of items have been purchased for Forth Valley Royal Hospital, community hospitals have benefitted too.

The biggest buy is a £115,000 fibroscan machine for Stirling Community Hospital. This ultrasound scanner is used to detect and monitor liver fibrosis and not only avoids the need for risky liver biopsies but also saves money on drugs.

Around £25,000 has been allocated for an instrument known as a slit lamp for the ophthalmology clinic rooms at Falkirk Community Hospital. The lamp is a high intensity light source that can be focused to shine a thin sheet of light into the eye. And at Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre additional equipment costing £14,000 will be used to support increased outpatient activity through the recent introduction of new clinics.

NHS Forth Valley Medical Director Dr Peter Murdoch said: “This represents a significant investment to ensure that patients across Forth Valley continue to benefit from the latest technology. This not only improves care and treatment but can have a significant impact on successful outcomes.”

The purchases are part of a two year initiative and some have been funded through the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early programme. An ultrasonic bronchoscope, a colonoscope and a gamma detection probe, costing in total more than £100,000, will all be used in the early detection and treatment of patients with cancer.

In addition NHS Forth Valley has bought a tracking system for equipment in Forth Valley Royal Hospital which will enable staff to locate kit quickly. Other health boards who have used a similar system have found it saves money.