Palliative patients benefit from ultrasound machine donation

PICTURED: Dr Gwen Davies and Dr Steve Young at Tŷ Olwen, which based in Morriston Hospital.

A high-tech ultrasound machine which could give more palliative patients a better quality of life has been donated to Tŷ Olwen.

The state-of-the-art device - costing over £30,000 - has been purchased by the Tŷ Olwen Trust, thanks to three generous donations.

The ultrasound machine gives consultants a clear picture of where to apply pain relief injections for palliative patients who have illnesses including cancer. It will also provide relief for patients near the end of their lives.

Tŷ Olwen now has exclusive use of the new machine, having previously shared a similar device which was nearing the end of its lifespan.

Essentially, the injections provide a pain block between nerves to numb pain for patients for up to three months.

This can have an array of benefits, such as a reduction in other medicines and reducing side effects. On some occasions, it has allowed patients to return home from Tŷ Olwen as their pain is under greater control.

PICTURED: (From left) Yvonne Young of the Swansea and Gower Cancer Self Help Group; Tŷ Olwen Trust chair Helen Murray with her granddaughter Isabella; Dr Steve Young; Tŷ Olwen Trust vice chairman Paul Murray; trustee Stuart Roberts; Dr Gwen Davies and Helen Neal of Swansea and Gower Cancer Self Help Group.

Aside from the quality of the machine giving consultants a clearer vision of the nerves, its exclusive use in Tŷ Olwen will mean more patients will benefit from the device.

Steve Young, Consultant Anaesthetist and Pain Medicine Specialist, said: “The new machine is high tech, modern and it’s like comparing 4K to standard definition. It gives a far clearer resolution and is similar to putting a new pair of prescription glasses on.

“The machine enables me to see underneath the skin, and it really helps in terms of identifying the perfect area to apply the injection.

“Previously, I saw between 30-40 patients a year for this procedure, but now we are capable of seeing more with the new machine because of its quality.”

The machine was purchased for Tŷ Olwen courtesy of three main donations.

More than £20,000 was donated by the Swansea and Gower Cancer Self Help Group - which has been wound up - while retired GP and Tŷ Olwen Trustee, Dr Stuart Roberts, raised £3,110 from a tandem skydive. The Albert Hunt Trust, a grant-giving charitable trust that supports local registered charities throughout the UK, also donated £10,000.

Dr Gwen Davies, consultant in palliative medicine and clinical director, said: “We are incredibly grateful for this donation which will make a huge difference to the pain relief of palliative patients.

“We are also looking into the possibility of utilising the machine for other services within Tŷ Olwen in order to maximise its potential and to help as many patients as possible.”

Paul Murray, Tŷ Olwen Trust vice chairman, said: “We were delighted to work with Yvonne Young of the Swansea and Gower Cancer Self Help Group when the incredibly generous financial offer of support was made.

“It was also important to seek the professional knowledge of Dr Davies, Dr Young and the team in identifying the need of an ultrasound machine. Our thanks also go to our fellow trustee, Stuart, for his bravery in jumping out of a plane and to the Albert Hunt Trust for their continued support.

“As with everything that the trust does for Tŷ Olwen, it is the patients who are the focus of our support and it is good to know that this machine will be of benefit to them for many years to come.”