A £200,000 community fundraising campaign has funded a new retinal scanner at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, improving the speed and accuracy of eye tests for thousands of patients

The scanner, now in place at the Westminster Eye Centre, was purchased entirely through the Countess Charity's Retinal Scanner Appeal.

This fundraising effort saw patients, families and local businesses unite to reach the full target within 12 months - supporting everything from coffee mornings to mountain climbs and parachute jumps.

The Countess of Chester Hospital can now offer clearer, wider and more detailed images of the back of the eye - helping staff spot problems earlier and monitor conditions more effectively.

"This scanner will make a real difference to the people we care for," said Hannah Bullock, Head Orthoptist at the Westminster Eye Centre.

"It gives us a much clearer and wider view of the back of the eye, which means we can spot problems earlier and give patients more certainty about what's going on.

"It also makes the whole experience easier - especially for children and people who find it hard to keep still - because the scan is so quick and comfortable."

Until now, the clinic relied on equipment that required patients to stay very still and follow instructions - something that can be difficult for children and adults with additional needs.

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The new scanner takes a much wider picture of the back of the eye in a single moment, allowing staff to see areas that are often missed with existing technology.

Angie Lopez, Head of Fundraising at the Countess Charity, added: "This is a wonderful example of what the Countess Charity can achieve along with the support of our local community when it comes together - every donation, every sponsored challenge and every act of support helped make this possible.

"The generosity shown has been incredible, and it means patients at the Countess will benefit from this technology for many years to come. We are so grateful to everyone who played a part."