A new imaging unit that will allow for an additional 4,000 procedures per year has opened St Cross.

UltrasoundL:R Dame Stella Manzie, Chair UHCW Trust, Friends Trustees Tracey Lennard, and Willy Goldschmidt, Simon Terry, Manager Hinckley & Rugby BS, Andy Hardy, CEO UHCW TrustPatients from Rugby and beyond will be able to access the Fern Unit, a dedicated ultrasound service based in the Outpatients Department.

The expansion of the service has been supported by a donation of more than £70,000 from the Friends of St Cross. Money from the charity has helped buy a new ultrasound machine and two ultrasound couches, as well as furniture for waiting rooms.  

Willy Goldschmidt, President of the Friends of St Cross, said: “We are always delighted to support this expansion of services offered at the hospital.

“We can only do this thanks to the tremendous support we receive from the community in Rugby and in particular, on this occasion, from the Hinckley and Rugby Building Society which donated £10,000 towards this project.”

Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer at UHCW NHS Trust, said: “As a Trust we are committed to being rooted in our communities and offering more services in Rugby for the people of the town and surrounding areas.

“Users will benefit from access to advanced ultrasound machines that will produce higher quality images and an improved patient experience.”

Ultrasound is a non-invasive test supporting fast and accurate diagnosis for patients with gynaecological and general abdominal conditions, but also for musculoskeletal and vascular conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).