Dorset County Hospital (DCH) has joined forces with Dorset HealthCare to provide new equipment and services at Weymouth Community Hospital - meaning people can go there for examinations instead of travelling to Dorchester.

Residents in Weymouth and Portland can now benefit from state-of-the-art ultrasound health scan facilities on their doorstep.

The £150,000 improvements at the Melcombe Avenue site include a new ultrasound scanning room and machine, and an upgraded reception area.

Specialist staff from DCH will also be located in Weymouth three days a week to see patients who require an ultrasound - reducing waiting times, increasing clinic capacity and providing more services for local people.

The ultrasound services in Weymouth will now include pregnancy scans, vascular scans - blood vessels - and musculoskeletal scans - tendons and ligaments.

Dorset HealthCare runs Weymouth Hospital, and Sharon Powell, Weymouth and Portland locality manager, said: "It's fantastic news that we are working with Dorset County Hospital to extend our range of ultrasound examinations for patients.

"This not only means people can visit a site more local to them, but sometimes they may also be able to combine their ultrasound and clinic visit on the same day.

"This joint venture is a positive step and will make a real difference to patients in our community."

DCH's superintendent sonographer, Alison Bromley, will be one of the radiology staff members at Weymouth Hospital. She said: "Both our trusts are committed to ensuring the delivery of high-quality services for patients and we are very pleased that we are working together to provide a more comprehensive service to benefit the local community."

Construction partner Westmade and equipment supplier Philips Electronics worked with Dorset HealthCare to provide the new facilities.

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