ULTRA sound diagnosis could be coming to Ludlow Hospital.

Health chiefs are evaluating the potential to bring the service to the town that is currently only available in Shrewsbury and other acute hospitals.

This follows from a request by the Ludlow Task Force that was set up after the planned £27 million hospital and health village on the Eco Park became a victim of Government changes to the National Health Service.

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) is in the process of developing a business case for the provision of ultrasound services in Ludlow.

This would provide services closer to home and enhance those within the local area.

The case is being progressed in partnership with the Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust and is being supported by a donation from The League of Friends for the Ultrasound machine.

Ultrasound would be delivered by sonographers employed by SaTH and provided from within the Ludlow Hospital building.

The service would provide abdomen and pelvic scans and appropriate patients would be referred to the service following a decision by their GP that a diagnostic scan is required.

This would provide ‘direct access’ to diagnostics which will both reduce waiting times for patients and also more importantly reduce the need for travel to an acute site.

While the facility provides an expert ultrasound service, some patients with either complex needs or requiring specialist scans will still need to be seen at an acute hospital.

The development is subject to a feasibility assessment to ensure that the local health economy will receive value for money.

However, assuming there is the demand and the service is affordable the two trusts are planning for the service to begin later this year.

“This is a great development for the people of Ludlow and the surrounding areas and we look forward to future updates on the development,” said Peter Corfield, chairman of the Ludlow Hospital League of Friends.