THE Royal Blackburn Hospital has been given a £21,000 equipment boost from The Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

East Lancashire patients will benefit as part of the charity’s £117,455 package of 11 projects across Lancashire and Cumbria.

A total of £9,483 has been granted to the ENT Department at the Royal Blackburn Hospital for endoscopy camera equipment that will allow clinical staff to record and share information on incidences of laryngeal cancer.

A further £11,500 will be spent on an ultrasound machine to make the insertion of PICC lines - long, thin tubes for the delivery of chemotherapy - more comfortable and less stressful for patients.

Angela Holden, chemotherapy sister at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are thrilled to receive this funding following a bid submitted several months ago to the Rosemere Cancer Foundation to enable us to purchase a special ultrasound machine.

“Previously we have had to insert PICC lines for patients receiving chemotherapy blindly. This machine is a new technique for inserting PICC lines that allows the nursing team to see the veins and insert the lines higher up meaning the procedure is less traumatic.

“The result is that patients will feel more comfortable and it will be an all-round better experience.”

Diane Woodcock, sister in the ENT Outpatients Department, said: “Thanks to this funding our lead consultant has secured, we’ve now been able to place an order for endoscopy camera equipment to add to our current equipment which will enable our staff to share information on incidences of laryngeal cancer and help diagnose throat cancer earlier, which will in turn improve outcomes for patients.”

Chief Officer for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, Sue Thompson said: “We are delighted that Rosemere has been able to fund both these pieces of equipment thanks to the generosity of local people. They will make a real difference to cancer patients in East Lancashire. “