Ross Community Hospital has opened its new £380,000 endoscopy unit. The purpose built unit will provide some of the most advanced technology available to help with the early diagnosis and treatment of patients, and aims to reduce waiting times.

Tim Tomlinson, Director of Service Delivery at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: "We are delighted to be able to provide a new endoscopy unit at Ross Community Hospital which will further improve access to diagnostic services for Herefordshire patients".

"The Trust wishes to thank Ross Rotarians for their on-going generous fundraising contributions to assist with the further purchase of additional equipment for the new endoscopy unit at Ross Community Hospital".

Philip Dazeley, Ross Rotary Club Secretary, said: "We are absolutely delighted with this investment. We feel that a unit like this is essential for the people of Ross and the surrounding area.

"We have long-standing connections with Ross Hospital. When it was at the old Cottage Hospital Ross Rotary raised money to build an Accident and Emergency unit, and many years later we built a physiotherapy unit.

"Our President, Brian Cole, is a retired doctor and it has been his project, this year, to raise £20,000 for the endoscopy unit. We are over half way there at £11,000 but we will continue to host events to raise money throughout the year to get to that target.

"We can't currently say what our £20,000 will go towards purchasing, in terms of equipment, but it will go towards the endoscopy unit to further support this investment."

The new unit is open two days a week increasing to three days a week during this year, with plans to extend to five days a week over the next three years.

For the rest of this story please see this week's Ross Gazette.