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The League of Friends of Stratton Hospital is generously donating, £196,000 to the hospital. The money will be used to pay for a new x-ray machine in memory of the late Candy Baker MBE.

Ann Furse, Chair of League of Friends of Stratton Hospital, said:

“We are delighted to be able to purchase the new x-ray machine, which is required for the very busy department at Stratton hospital. In 1999 we funded 40% of the cost of the current x-ray machine which has been of good service to the local population and visitors over 22 years. Due to the successful fundraising of the £1 million hospital development fund by Candy Baker and Ray Hockin, who both are sadly no longer with us, we have been able to finance this project through generous public donations from within the community.”

The x-ray machine is operated by radiographers from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust who carry out between 500 and 600 x-rays each month. The new machine will be more reliable, provide better quality images and will be able to produce a further 160 to 200 x-rays a month if required.

Sarah Washer, hospital matron said:

“We feel immensely grateful to the League of Friends for their very generous donation. The staff are delighted. We know the huge benefit this machine will have for the local and wider community. It’s fitting that this will be in memory of the late Candy Baker MBE who did so much all over the county,  for the community and the hospitals.”

The x-ray operates at the hospital Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

The installation of the new x-ray machine is due to start in February 2022.

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed it will be investing over £400,000 into infrastructure and equipment at Launceston hospital.

The money will pay for a new x-ray machine and building works to enable the installation of the new machine.

Work will begin in November 2021, allowing the new x-ray machine to be in place and operational by mid-February 2022. The new x-ray machine replaces the current machine which has served the hospital for around 20 years.

Sarah Washer, matron at Launceston hospital said, “We’re really excited to learn that building work will start this autumn to allow our new x-ray machine to be installed. The machine will be much more reliable, provide better quality images and will be able to produce a third more x-rays if needed.”

The x-ray machine is operated by radiographers from University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and supports the staff working in Launceston hospital’s minor injury unit to diagnose broken bones. X-ray operates at the hospital Monday to Friday and Sunday (but not bank holidays) between 9am and 5pm. The Sunday service has currently relocated to Liskeard to support the larger minor injury unit with diagnostic support.

The minor injury unit at Launceston hospital has temporarily closed in response to a sustained surge in demand which is affecting all areas of health and care. The decision to close the unit in the short term is in line with the Trust’s usual operating processes and allows the staff to work in and sustain services from the larger and busier minor injury units across north and east Cornwall.

The Launceston’s minor injury unit is scheduled to reopen on 1 October 2021, when the Sunday x-ray service will also return to the hospital.

With Cornwall hotter than many foreign holiday destinations this week and further sunshine expected next week, Newquay minor injury unit is already seeing more than its fair share of sunburn, bites and stings – many of which could be avoided.

Julia Sharland, the nurse in charge of the minor injury unit said, “While it’s advisable to stay indoors or move into the shade during the hottest part of the day, a high factor sun-cream, a wide brimmed hat and drinking lots of non-alcoholic fluids can help avoid some of the common conditions we see when the weather warms up.

“You can walk-in to several pharmacies in the town and the staff there will be able to advise and provide over the counter remedies to help you deal with bites, stings and mild sunburn.

“If you do need to come to the minor injury unit, here or elsewhere in Cornwall please go online or call 111 first. Please stay on the line as it may take a while for an operator to get to your call. Waiting on the line for advice, means you can be directed to the best local health service for your needs; it also means the team and I are alerted to your arrival and social distancing can be maintained in the department.”

The NHS often sees an impact on emergency and urgent care when there is a heatwave. In England alone there are on average 2,000 heat related deaths a year, but we can all do our bit to look after ourselves and each other. Dehydration, heat exhaustion and sun-stroke can affect anyone but those who are most vulnerable should take extra care and include babies and young children, people with serious or long-term conditions, the elderly and especially those over 75 or people who work outside.

With numbers of COVID-19 cases rising in the Newquay area, it’s really important people continue to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing when they visit any health premises.

Find out more about  how to cope in the hot weather