Rochdale Infirmary to benefit from equipment spending plan

Date published: 13/04/2006

Rochdale Infirmary is amongst four Greater Manchester hospitals to benefit from a £4 million equipment spending plan announced by health chiefs on Wednesday 12 April.

Pennine Acute Trust runs Fairfield General Hospital, Bury; North Manchester General Hospital; The Royal Oldham Hospital, and Rochdale Infirmary.

Trust chiefs have announced a £4 million investment in medical equipment to be spent over the next 12 months. Last year the figure was £2.8 million, a rise of more than £1 million year-on-year.

Including in the spending is new x-ray and ultrasound equipment, resuscitation equipment, special surgical equipment, and incubators.

John Wilkes, director of facilities for the Trust, said: “Investment in hospital equipment is vital in supporting staff with their work in diagnosing patients and providing the treatment they require.”

John Jesky, interim chair of the Trust, said: “This investment, a rise on last year, will fund many different pieces of equipment at our hospitals, which is good news for patients and staff alike.”

Among the items to be purchased are:

• Rochdale Infirmary will receive two endoscopy video systems, totalling £100,000
• Fairfield General Hospital will receive six diathermy machines worth £42,000, which generate heat to help patients with some arthritic and rheumatic conditions
• The Royal Oldham Hospital will receive £83,000-worth of orthopaedic operating power tools for use during surgery
• A £500,000 interventional suite at North Manchester General Hospital that provides moving x-rays to support the diagnosis and treatment of vascular and liver diseases without the need for surgery.

The spending plans were approved by the Trust’s Medical and Scientific committee, which is made up of doctors, surgeons, directors and senior management.