A new scanner to assess bone density has been installed at East Surrey Hospital, thanks to generous funding from the Friends’ of East Surrey Hospital.
A DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorbtiometry) scan is a fast, accurate way of assessing bone density. It uses low energy X-rays to help determine if you have osteoporosis or are at risk of developing osteoporosis. A diagnosis of osteoporosis is essential to prevent life threatening fractures in high risk individuals.
The Friends’ of East Surrey Hospital funded the hospital’s original DEXA scanner in 2007, and have now invested around £109,000 on a brand new machine.
Richard Burford BEM, chair of the Friends’ of East Surrey Hospital said: “I am very pleased that Friends have been able to replace our 2007 scanner with a new machine courtesy of a generous legacy and that we have continued to support the Hospital despite COVID-19 restrictions.”
The new scanner is able to provide improved images and a more comfortable experience for patients who require bone density measurement and vertebral fracture assessment. It is able to rotate around the patient, reducing the need for the person being scanned to move positions during their appointment.
As well as assessing people for osteoporosis, it can provide high definition images for assessing different types of fractures and calculate body mass index. It also allows for bone mineral density measurement in younger patients if necessary.
Since April 2007, over 50,000 bone density scans have been performed at East Surrey Hospital. The department works closely with the hospital’s fracture liaison service as well as local GPs, radiologists and the hospital’s main outpatient department.
Michael Wilson CBE, chief executive of SASH, said: “This new scanner is excellent news for local patients. I am extremely grateful to the Friends’ of East Surrey Hospital for providing the funding and our teams for working hard to make this happen. We are privileged to have had terrific support from the Friends’ for many years and I would like to thank everyone involved.”