PATIENTS at the Royal Bolton Hospital are set to benefit from £60,000 worth of new equipment - thanks to the work and generosity of the Women's Royal Voluntary Service.

A third soundproofed room in the Ear, Nose and Throat outpatients' department has been built with £13,000 of the money.

The room is larger than the other two and has easy access for wheelchairs. It will be used for very sensitive hearing tests and will enable the department to see more patients more quickly.

The rest of the donation has been spent on equipment for the ENT department. This includes a state-of-the-art laryngostrobe worth £17,000 which is used in monitoring the vibration of vocal cords.

The money has also bought two flexible and two rigid nasolaryngoscopes which are used in diagnosing and treating a variety of ENT problems.

The money was raised from profits from the WRVS shops and other services at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Mrs Beverley Andrew, Director of Operations with Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "It is entirely thanks to the time these volunteers give in helping the hospital that we have been able to buy this wonderful equipment.

"I know the staff are delighted to have received it and I'm sure the WRVS will be pleased to know that thousands of patients will benefit from it."

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