PATIENTS undergoing skin grafts at Worcestershire Royal Hospital are to benefit from a new piece of state- of-the-art equipment thanks to a donation from the league of friends.

The friends have raised £11,000 to fund a new dermatome knife which can be used to harvest exactly the right thickness and width of skin, producing uniform grafts to treat small, medium and large skin defects. It means city patients will no longer have to travel to Kidderminster.

Eluned Smith, chairman of the Friends of Worcestershire Royal Hospital, handed over the cheque to consultant vascular surgeon Nick Hickey. He said: “There are many reasons for needing a skin graft, but the main ones are skin cancer, large leg ulcers, relieving tension and pressure, and traumatic damage to the skin.

“Worcester’s growing and ageing population, combined with sun-damaged skin, has resulted in an increasing incidence of skin cancers requiring skin grafts in our local hospitals.

“There is already an electric dermatome in frequent use at Kidderminster Hospital, but the new machine in Worcester should reduce the patient waiting times and reduce unnecessary travel of Worcester patients to and from Kidderminster.”

Mrs Smith said: “We are delighted to be able to fund this vital piece of equipment. It is hoped that having a new dermatome will improve the patient experience with a better quality skin graft being produced with less trauma and a better healing, more comfortable donor site.”

Michael O’Riordan, chairman of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “As always, we are extremely grateful to the friends for their ongoing and generous support. This state-of-the-art equipment will ensure greater comfort for patients undergoing skin graft procedures.”

 The Friends of WRH is a registered charity providing funds for the purchase of equipment and other patient benefits.

 If you would like to make a donation, please send a cheque to Mr Middlebrough, Treasurer, The Forge, Church Lane, Worcester, WR5 2PS.