New ultrasound services for patients in the Weymouth area

Residents in Weymouth and Portland can now benefit from state-of-the-art ultrasound health scan facilities on their doorstep.

Dorset HealthCare and Dorset County Hospital (DCH) have joined forces to provide new equipment and services at Weymouth Community Hospital – meaning people can go there for examinations instead of travelling to Dorchester.

The £150,000 improvements at the Melcombe Avenue site include a new ultrasound scanning room and machine, and an upgraded reception area.

Specialist staff from DCH will also be located in Weymouth three days a week to see patients who require an ultrasound – reducing waiting times, increasing clinic capacity and providing more services for local people.

The comprehensive ultrasound services for patients at Weymouth will now include pregnancy scans and more specialised examinations such as vascular scans (blood vessels) and musculoskeletal scans (tendons and ligaments).

Dorset HealthCare runs Weymouth Hospital, and Weymouth and Portland Locality Manager Sharon Powell said:

“It’s fantastic news that we are working with Dorset County Hospital to extend our range of ultrasound examinations for patients. This not only means people can visit a site more local to them, but sometimes they may also be able to combine their ultrasound and clinic visit on the same day.

“This joint venture is a positive step and will make a real difference to patients in our community.”

DCH’s Superintendent Sonographer, Alison Bromley, will be one of the radiology staff members at Weymouth Hospital. She said:

“Both our Trusts are committed to ensuring the delivery of high quality services for patients and we are very pleased that we are working together to provide a more comprehensive service to benefit the local community.”

Construction partner Westmade and equipment supplier Philips Electronics worked with Dorset HealthCare to provide the new facilities.