A NEW scanner for Malvern Community Hospital, paid for by the generosity of Malvern Gazette readers, could be in place by the new year.

Last week, our Ease The Pain appeal, launched in April, topped the £60,000 target needed to buy the Carm image intensifier for the hospital’s pain clinic.

Consultant Mahesh Chardhari, who runs the clinic, said: “As soon as I heard the appeal had reached its target, I sent an e-mail to the trust’s radiology department, asking them to get the process in motion.”

He said the trust is likely to buy a scanner manufactured by Siemens, which makes a range of medical imaging equipment.

He said: “Obviously we want it installed as quickly as possible, but there are formalities to be completed for the Care Quality Commission, and that can take up to 12 weeks. Realistically, we’re talking about the new year.

“But from the point of view of my team and from the point of view of the hospital, the sooner we have it the better.”

Dr Chaudhari did his bit for the fund-raising drive on Sunday when he took part in the Shakespeare 100, a 100-mile cycle challenge around Stratford.