Hospital Appeal Buys Life-Saving Lung Machine

Medical equipment purchased through Salisbury Hospital's Stars Appeal is revolutionizing care for thousands of lung patients annually. The new £74,000 lung function machine enables local residents to undergo crucial diagnostic testing without traveling to distant cities like Southampton or Bournemouth. This vital equipment serves individuals suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, cancer, and heart conditions.

The state-of-the-art machine monitors lung function, making a significant difference for patients requiring regular tests. Approximately 2,000 patients rely on this service yearly, with around 3,500 tests performed. The availability of local testing simplifies appointment scheduling and ensures patients feel well-cared for, benefiting from the generosity of community donors.

Punam Korat, the hospital's lead respiratory and sleep physiologist, highlighted that without the Stars Appeal funding, these essential tests would not be possible locally, and patients would face longer waits and travel. The new equipment not only speeds up patient appointments but also allows for specialist muscle function tests previously unavailable, greatly improving diagnostic capabilities and patient outcomes.