Countess of Chester Hospital receives major boost to eye care thanks to £200,000 fundraising appeal

A £200,000 community fundraising effort has transformed eye care at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, with the arrival of a brand new retinal scanner that will make tests quicker, easier and more accurate 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 which saw patients, families, local businesses and other fundraisers unite to reach the full target within 12 months - supporting everything from coffee mornings to mountain climbs and parachute jumps.

Their efforts mean the 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.

Retinal imaging has become a routine part of care for most people attending the Westminster Eye Centre, with more than 90 patients a day now needing scans.

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 and can sometimes make appointments longer and more challenging.

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.

The scan is quick, painless and non‑invasive, and in many cases doesn’t require eye drops.

And because it needs very little patient cooperation, it is far easier for children and people with special educational needs.

Hannah Bullock, Head Orthoptist at the Westminster Eye Centre, said:

“This scanner will make a real difference to the people we care for. 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.

"Thanks to the generosity of our community, our patients can now benefit from the most modern imaging available.”

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," 

The new scanner will bring:

• Faster, simpler scans that are easier for children and adults with additional needs

• Clearer images that help staff spot problems earlier

• Shorter appointments and smoother clinic flow

• Better visibility of areas of the eye that are hard to see with existing equipment.

The Countess charity’s annual events such as the Santa Dash, charity lunches and the annual Duck Race all helped to reach the set target.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and to Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System.  

Its services are provided from three locations:

The Countess of Chester Hospital, Ellesmere Port Hospital and Tarporley War Memorial Hospital. 

Pictured - The Countess of Chester Hospital’s Orthoptic team Claire Voas-Clarke, Hannah Bullock, Urooj Fatima, Abbey Morris and Karen Hordern.