Worthing deputy mayor Noël Atkins was among those backing the appeal at its launch at the hospital on Monday, saying the technology of a CT scanner saved his wife's life after she suffered a stroke.

The appeal, to buy the hospital's second CT scanner, was launched by the Friends of Worthing Hospitals group, which made the first donation, of £100,000.

Consultant radiologist David Withers said: "The patient demand is growing by 20 to 30 per cent a year and it is becoming difficult to maintain that with one scanner."

Dr Withers said the scanners combined x-ray and computer technology to show "slices" of the body and enabled consultants to diagnose and then treat conditions quickly. The scanners also mean many patients can avoid having invasive surgery to diagnose conditions and are used to monitor if treatment is working.

"The scanners are definitely a life-saving piece of equipment," said Dr Withers.

Critical

Mr Atkins said another scanner was "critical" and told how his wife Helena, 53, used the technology at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton after she suffered a stroke at a friend's house in January.

Noël, of Wordsworth Road, Worthing, said: "Her friends realised she'd had a stroke and called an ambulance and me straight away.

The doctors took her straight to the scanner and were able to see she was having a major haemorrhage.

They were not sure she would survive, but because they had all the information they needed they were able to relay it to the neurological centre at Haywards Heath who were then able to tell them how to treat her.

"The scanner saved her life."

It is hoped the £1million for the new CT scanner will be raised within the next 12 months from donations and fund-raising events.

Donations can be made at www.ctscannerappeal.org.uk and people interested in arranging events should call Ron Noakes on 01903 872188 or email info@ctscannerappeal.org.uk

*The new appeal comes 21 years after a campaign, which was backed by the Herald, raised more than £750,000 in around eight months for a scanner for Worthing Hospital.

Case study

WORTHING schoolgirl Laura Reed has three good reasons to back the appeal – she has used the hospital's existing scanner twice and her grand-dad is leading the new campaign.

Laura, 10, is the grand-daughter of Ron Noakes, the Friends of Worthing Hospitals chairman, and she is the reason he began fund-raising for the hospital.

Laura was born at Worthing Hospital in March, 1998, but she was not breathing and her heart had stopped. Doctors used the CT scanner to see if the lack of oxygen had left Laura with any brain damage.

Mum Teresa Reed said "black spots" were found on Laura's brain but it would take time to find out if they were serious. Then, she had another scan last year following stomach problems and got the all-clear on her brain.

Teresa, of Arundel Road, Worthing, added: "It has given us complete peace of mind."

Laura, who attends English Martyrs Primary School in Goring, said: "The scanner was just like a tunnel. I didn't really mind it. I had music playing in my ears."

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