Worcestershire and Warwickshire Combine
On Monday 27th April, R. W. Bro. Eric Rymer, Past Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire, together with R. W. Bro Andrew Armbrister, the Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire, accompanied by V. W. Bro Nigel Clemson, Warwickshire’s Past Provincial Grand Charity Steward, visited The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham to make a cheque presentation on behalf of The Mark Benevolent Fund.
The Hospital is one of only three specialist Orthopaedic hospitals in the country. They take referrals for complicated orthopaedic cases from all parts of the country, as well as being the national referral hospital for all cases of bone cancer.
They sought the help of The Mark Benevolent Fund to purchase a new ultrasound scanner. Both provinces supported the application as the hospital lies on their joint Provincial boundary. The Mark Benevolent Fund made the hospital a grant of £35,828 which enabled them to purchase a state-of-the-art GEC Logitech ultrasound scanner.
Dr Hassam Uldin, a consultant Radiologist, explained to the group the advantages of the new equipment, which is replacing a unit over 10 years old. It is half the size of its predecessor and therefore takes up less room in the usual scanner room, but also makes it far more manoeuvrable, enabling consultants to have the ability to move it to wherever it is needed, be it in a theatre or ward or outpatient area. The quality of scans it produces are greatly improved, especially in soft tissue sarcomas (cancers). At present, after being in place for one month, about 20 patients a week are able to benefit from the machine, but this number is increasing.
A plaque recording the donation is being placed at the entrance to the X Ray department.
The initial presentation of the cheque was made to Dr Uldin in the department followed by a formal presentation to the Trust executive.
