The Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital (RDCH) welfare fund trustees, along with the RDCH endowment trustees, have funded advanced equipment, including a fully-digital kit, facilitating instant image viewing. Radiology manager Kathleen McDowall highlighted that this technology enables examinations on the island, reducing the need for patients to travel to the UK. The improved X-ray quality has been acknowledged by consultant radiologists, and the machine’s lighter design enhances ease for the radiographers conducting the examinations.
A spokesperson for Manx Care expressed gratitude for the donation, emphasizing its role in sustaining a modern community hospital amid ongoing expansions. The RDCH welfare fund, fueled by donations and bequests, recently facilitated the establishment of a specialized dermatology unit in Ramsey. Formerly, patients requiring plastic surgery had to travel to Whiston Hospital in Liverpool, but the new unit, equipped with a dermatome for skin grafting, now caters to many of these cases. In addition, the trustees allocated funds for an echocardiogram machine, enhancing the capabilities of cardiology outpatient clinics.
A representative from Manx Care mentioned their contribution to local services, expanding from one to four days a week, thanks to increased capacity in the cardiac physiology team. The addition of new equipment and a larger team has significantly decreased waiting lists, and patients have consistently praised the enhanced convenience, according to the spokesperson.
