Charitable Funds have been used to introduce new ground breaking technologies to make world class treatments available to patients at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust. Not only is this an investment into the future health of our growing community, but it means local people are receiving the best available treatments on their doorstep, without the need to make the journey up to London and beyond. 

FEES (Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing)

This portable unit contains a flexible Nasendoscope used for looking at the inside of the nose, the throat (pharynx) and the voicebox (larynx). We can now conduct swallowing/voicing assessments as well as the procedure itself so inpatients and outpatients access quick and objective assessment of their swallow and laryngeal function. The FEES machine also provides full anatomical/physiological information of the patient that has not previously been the case. It is particularly useful for patients who are elderly, have Cancer or suffer from speech problems.

One Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA)

This equipment can detect if Cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit, and can be carried out at the same time as surgery to remove tumours and reconstruct the breast. If the test shows the cancer has spread, the lymph nodes can be removed immediately whilst the patient is still under anaesthetic. This saves the patient having to wait for pathology tests and possibly undergo further operations. If the result is negative, the patient can be told as soon as they wake up from the anaesthetic that the cancer has not spread. 

“It is fantastic that with the help of charitable donations we can now offer ‘one stop surgery’ with the new One Step Nucleic acid Amplification (OSNA) equipment which analyses sentinel lymph nodes at the time of first surgery for breast cancer. We also now have a highly specialised ultra sound machine which can diagnose most breast lumps at the first consultation. We are so very grateful to our community for helping us develop this service by giving their support to our Cancer Fighting Fund.” - Ms Seema Seetharam, Consultant Breast Surgeon

Cryosurgery equipment 

This is cutting edge technology that freezes and kills tumours of the prostate and kidneys. This technology freezes Cancerous tumours to less than -40⁰c. The procedure freezes the kidney and all the cancerous cells die. Treatment is simple and results in reducing the time a patient spends in hospital. 

Time = Brain Project

Our Special Care Baby Unit was one of the first in Kent, Surrey and Sussex to introduce Technotherm. The Technotherm mattress is used when needed to cool the baby down quickly straight after birth, taking advantage of a therapeutic window that occurs if a newborn baby suffers oxygen shortage. By cooling the baby (a technique called therapeutic hypothermia) to reduce brain temperature, doctors can alter the chemical processes that lead to brain damage. As soon as possible after birth, and with strict controls in place, the baby is cooled with the Unit. Using the Technotherm reduces the risk of brain damage, improves the chance of survival and reduces the chance of disability.

Expansion of the Special Care Baby Unit in 2009

The Charity supported the purchase of life supporting equipment to kit out SCBU, now on Walnut Ward, from 10 cots to 22.

Pill-Cam

This system is used for the early detection of small bowel tumors. Charitable funds purchased the initial batch of Pill-Cam to pilot the project, which was then adopted by the Trust.

You can help us raise funds to purchase the latest medical equipment to enhance patient care by:

• making a donation or setting up a regular gift
• taking part in one of our fundraising events
• holding your own fundraising event

We are grateful for any contribution - big or small. Thank you.