A NEW scanner costing almost £9,000 has been donated to Hereford County Hospital.

Hereford Lions Club bought the £8,824 bladder scanner for the urology department after one of its members, Keith Martin, made several visits to the department for check-ups on his bladder only for the vital scanner to be regularly out of action.

He was told the unit was desperate for a new, up-to-date scanner, but NHS funds were not available. When the club heard Keith's story, his fellow members decided to pay for a new scanner, a blessing for the huge number of patients suffering with bladder problems, but often having to make repeat visits if the scanner wasn't working.

Consultant Mehmood Akhtar said: "The gift from Lions Club will ensure the efficient running of the department and no more delays for patients needing to establish if they have bladder problems and require medical attention."

It was given to the hospital in memory of Stan Austin, a highly respected city businessman who died in February last year. Stan was a member of Lions Club for many years and left a £20,000 legacy to the club's charity fund.