PATIENTS at a Worcester hospice will no longer face long trips to hospital for ultrasound scans thanks to a generous grant by a Pershore organisation.

St Richard’s Hospice has been handed £7,280 from the Friends of Pershore Hospital to fund a new scanner.

The new piece of equipment will cut down the time taken for diagnosis and treatment for those attending clinics at the hospice as well as inpatients.

Vice-chairman of the Friends of Pershore Hospital Michael Amies said he was pleased to be able to help the hospice in its work support patients with cancer and other life-threatening conditions.

Specialist palliative care doctor at St Richard’s Hospice Dr James Kerton thanked the organisation for the grant.

“Previously, very ill patients had to travel to Worcestershire Royal Hospital nearby to have a diagnostic ultrasound scan at a time when moving can be painful and distressing for them and for their loved ones,” he said.

“Having an ultrasound scanner located here at the hospice means that we can determine the cause of their discomfort more quickly and offer appropriate treatment.

“This is of particular benefit to patients who may be very frail and too ill to travel to hospital.”

St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for more than 2,500 patients living with life-threatening illnesses and their families every year.