Consultant respiratory physician Mark Weatherhead
A NEW medical procedure at Wansbeck Hospital is giving patients a fast and accurate cancer diagnosis.
Patients can now have an endobronchial ultrasound test for the first time in Northumberland at the Ashington hospital.
The test involves feeding a camera into the lung which detects lymph nodes as well as tumours outside the lung wall to determine what stage the cancer is at.
The 30-minute procedure means a quicker and safer service for patients, eliminating the need for general anaesthetic.
Until recently the nearest centre offering this cutting-edge service was at Stockton-on-Tees.
The equipment has been provided with a £100,000 grant from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s charitable funds.
Consultant respiratory physician Mark Weatherhead said: “The respiratory team is delighted to be able to offer this specialist service to our patients.
“The benefits of it were highlighted when we had a patient who was able to have her ultrasound test the day after her consultation with me. This quick diagnosis meant that her treatment was able to be started earlier.
“Formerly patients may have had to have a general anaesthetic and carry the risk of a surgical procedure.”
