Hampshire Medical Fund delivers advanced Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy machine thanks to a bequest from an Andover Resident
The Hampshire Medical Fund is proud to announce the successful funding and delivery of a vital piece of trauma and orthopaedics equipment to Andover War Memorial Hospital thanks to a generous bequest from an Andover resident.
The Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) machine provides a non-invasive treatment that uses shockwaves to induce chemical changes within cells which helps promote tissue regeneration. It is used to treat tendinopathies as well as in reducing pain and relieving muscle spasticity.
Already used in elite sports medicine and generally only available in private clinics, ESWT has until now, only been available locally at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital. Acquiring an additional machine in Andover will immediately make a real difference in reducing waiting times and to help more patients stay active, work and live pain-free. EWST reduces the need for referrals to radiology for ultrasound-guided or platelet-rich plasma injections, whilst also reducing the need for unnecessary surgeries for difficult-to-treat tendinopathies.
Kate Hornby, Consultant in Sport, Exercise & MSK Medicine, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who will be using the machine to treat patients in Andover said, “We are really lucky to have this machine here in Andover. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a highly effective treatment that is rarely available in NHS hospitals and is typically only found in private clinics. It’s well known for helping elite athletes recover quickly from injury, but its benefits extend far beyond the sporting world. For our patients, it will treat tendinopathy’s which are often very disabling, allowing quicker return to work and daily activities, and reduce pain and discomfort which can affect long term health and mobility.”
Lucy Liddell, Charity Director at the Hampshire Medical Fund said, “We are committed to providing our local NHS hospitals with cutting-edge medical technology that will make a real difference to patient outcomes, but which goes beyond what NHS budgets can currently cover. Thanks to this generous bequest, we’ve been able to bring ESWT to Andover — and it will have an immediate and lasting impact on local patients, helping them avoid more invasive treatments and regain mobility and quality of life more quickly.”
The Hampshire Medical Fund raises funds for cutting-edge medical equipment for the NHS hospitals in Winchester, Basingstoke, and Andover, ensuring our local communities have access to the latest life-saving technology.
For more information or to support the Hampshire Medical Fund, visit www.hampshiremedicalfund.org.
For Further Information Contact:
Jo McGivern, Hampshire Medical Fund
Email: jo@hampshiremedicalfund.org
Phone: 07931 508577