Paul Strickland Scanner Centre Update

December brought us a home-grown treat at Mount Vernon. We meet in the Post Graduate Centre, just round the corner from the Scanner Centre. We heard from its Chief Executive, Margaret Sullivan, about its state of the art scanners - altogether five of them - 2 PET/CT, one 64 slice CT scanner and two MRI scanners, all replaced regularly to keep the centre always up to date. It also has a cyclotron on site, producing short-life isotopes , that allow the Centre to maximise the number of patients scanned and to undertake valuable research.

Its scanners have a huge range of potential uses, from identifying cancers to diagnosing a tear in a knee cartilage. They can be involved in diagnosis and treatment.

The success of the Scanner Centre is evidenced by its involvement in drug trials and other research, the grants it obtains, its many publications and its strong links with academia and industry. We are lucky to have it at Mount Vernon as a resource for local people - but the fact that it exists is also a tribute to the efforts of local people as it is a charity and ever grateful for the support it receives from fundraising by its many local friends and grateful patients.

After her talk, Margaret Sullivan joined members in welcoming in the festive season with traditional mincepies and seasonal drinks.

A happy Christmas and New Year to all members of The Community Voice and its many friends!

Joan