A NEW state of the art breast imaging unit that will screen hundreds of women per week has been opened at Kidderminster Hospital.

NHS chiefs say the unit will allow more than 200 women a week, who currently receive breast screening at Kidderminster to have shorter waiting times, improved privacy and reduced stress while receiving their treatment.

It houses a brand-new ultrasound machine, which the funds for purchasing were donated by the Kidderminster League of Friends, together with a state-of-the-art digital mammography unit within a newly refurbished suite of rooms.

The suite of rooms will vastly improve the experience for breast screening patients who previously received their screening in a mobile van on site, and will also enable breast surgery to take place Kidderminster.

New mammogram machines will also enable patients to be able to receive stereo biopsies - a procedure that uses computer and imaging equipment to take a tissue sample for testing - which have previously not been available in Kidderminster.

The unit will be staffed by a team from breast imaging departments across Worcestershire along with a team of breast consultants including a newly appointed consultant radiologist.

Although attached to the hospital, the unit remains slightly apart from the main treatment centre, which is the recommended practice by the national breast screening programme.

The new ultrasound machine is also suitable for gynaecology imaging.

Consultant Breast Radiologist, Dr Penny Haggett said: “This new unit will vastly improve the experience of patients at Kidderminster.

“Previously we have had limited use of the ultrasound machine in the x-ray department which is in high demand for all types of examination. By having our own machines, it allows us to screen more women and give them a less stressful experience.”

The team are looking for donations to help decorate the walls of the suite with pictures. Anyone who would like to donate any pictures or are interested in helping the decoration can contact Debbie Fox, Superintendent Radiographer, on 01527 488055.