A NEW mobile scanner is providing scans closer to home for Warrington people suspected of having osteoporosis.
The unit, currently situated at Warrington Hospital was made possible by a bid submitted to the National Osteoporosis Society in 2007. Funding came from the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, who had provided £3 million pounds nationally to fund more scanners to detect osteoporosis.
The DEXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) scanner is used to detect osteoporosis accurately. It is a quick, painless procedure for measuring bone loss. It is most often used to diagnose osteoporosis, with bone density measurements of the lower back and hips mainly taken. Each scan takes about 20 minutes and is a relatively pain-free procedure, and involves only a very low dose of radiation.
Bryan Ogden, Provincial Grand Master of Mark Master Masons in Cheshire said:
“The Mark Benevolent Fund made a donation to the National Osteoporosis Society to enable the society to fund a national scanning service that will provide over 30,000 bone density scans every year.
“The service will provide a local osteoporosis scanning provision which will operate in areas where NHS patients have to travel long distances or wait months for scans and hence greatly improve the quality of life for those who suffer from this condition.
“We are particularly delighted that a substantial portion of this funding has been given to Halton and Warrington Hospitals and we sincerely hope that it will make a significant impact on the quality of life of the people throughout the area.”
Dr Mark Caplan, consultant radiologist said: “In the past patients have had to travel in excess of 20 miles to other hospitals to be screened, often with long waiting lists. We are now able to screen them within seven days of referral which significantly improves their health through the early diagnosis of osteoporosis, targeting treatment most appropriately, reducing the risk of fractures and future fractures.”
Bone density scans are only recommended for people who are considered to be at high risk of having fragility fracture.
Pictured: left to right: Chris Kenyon (Trust governor), Peter Connolly (Provincial Grand Master for West Lancashire), Bryan Ogden (Provincial Grand Master for Cheshire), Allan Massey (Chairman of the Trust) and Dr Mark Caplan, at the presentation of the plaque.
