The Great Western Hospital's Evolution Appeal is transforming the level of health care for patients by allowing the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust to invest in the very latest medical equipment. Health reporter Ben Fitzgerald charts the appeal's success

THE Evolution Campaign was launched in September 2001, in anticipation of the move from Princess Margaret Hospital to new premises.

The aim of the appeal is to raise £2.5 million from the community to upgrade or replace ageing medical equipment.

And already donations from businesses and individuals have swelled the coffers to an impressive £1.8 million, which has been added to an £8 million contribution from the Government.

Campaign director Carol Taylor said: "Great Western Hospital is a place that touches all of us.

"Almost every one of us at some time will have dealings with the hospital, be it the birth of a child or the loss of a loved one.

"By contributing to the Evolution Campaign, people are investing in their futures. We have been bowled over by the generosity of ordinary people, groups and businesses who have done so much to help make this campaign a success.

"We are more than half way towards the £2.5m target we have set ourselves and since the launch of the campaign we have seen many brilliant events to boost funds.

"Ones that stick in the mind include an open day at the horse racing stables at Manton, a moonlight steeple chase and a 24-hour line dance. People have really pulled out all the stops to back us.

"I would appeal to the community of Swindon to continue with their good work and help us reach our £2.5million target."

Among the equipment bought with the money raised to date is a £135,000 cardiac ultrasound unit. This produces images of the heart muscle to allow specialists to quickly and accurately diagnose heart problems.

Senior chief clinical physiologist Paul Charlton explained how it works: "This is a really important piece of equipment.

"Most people come to the chest clinic suffering from chest pains or shortness of breath. We can use the ultrasound unit to help build up a picture of the heart muscle so that we can check for any abnormalities such as enlargement of the chambers, leakage or other problems.

"This is used with other tests, such as electro cardiogram readings, to help produce a diagnosis.

"This piece of equipment is helping to reduce the amount of time that patients have to wait for their treatment because, rather than giving them different appointments for different tests, we are able to carry out a range of tests on one visit."

The new ultrasound equipment will be used alongside an older, but still effective, unit.

Evolution funds are also being used to pay for five new examination trolleys for the Ear Nose and Throat department for £40,000.

Consultant ENT surgeon Susan Chalstrey said: "These new units are extremely useful.

"They contain a range of equipment including an endoscope, to look down people's throats, a light source for the camera, heaters for mirrors to prevent them from steaming up and a host of other useful things.

"The idea is that we have everything we need in one place so that we don't have to waste time by ferrying a patient from one place to another.

"This new equipment replaces older trolleys that date from the 1950s and had definitely outlived their usefulness."

Thousands of items of surplus medical equipment, which were left behind when the hospital transferred from PMH to the trust's new home, were sold at an auction in January.