ALTON Rotary Club celebrated 70 years of the National Health Service (NHS) with a project designed to fund the purchase of a Dopplex Ability machine to support community services provided at Alton Community Hospital.

The machine, which is used to identify potential cardiovascular disease, and to establish detailed treatments for leg wounds and ulcers, cost £2,478, with a two-year guarantee.

According to an Alton Rotary Club spokesman: “The equipment is very easy to use and can be operated by nursing and healthcare support staff.

“It is much quicker than other systems and has automated printed results, so will allow considerably quicker processing of patients.”

It is a win win situation for the hospital. The new machine will enable patients to benefit from simpler and quicker processing, with printed results which will enable staff to recommend appropriate treatments.

Stall will also benefit from simplified patient handling and quicker results.

A facility offering services run by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust, Alton Community Hospital’s Inwood Day Unit provides a GP-led service for local people, including leg ulcer management, blood transfusions, short or long-term therapies, catheter care, tissue viability, a wound care management clinic, podiatry and falls assessments.

Located in Chawton Park Road, Alton, the hospital is also the base for the Southern Health Community Nursing and Therapy Service (OT and physiotherapy) which provides assessments for patients who have a range of conditions in their home and clinic settings, through rehabilitation with exercises, activities and equipment as needed.

Outpatient clinics are also provided by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which runs Anstey ward: a GP-led community bed facility for rehabilitation (including stroke rehabilitation), end-of-life (palliative) care, and short-term in patient nursing care North Hampshire patients over the age of 18.