The north’s flagship hospital has taken delivery of a sophisticated new laser to treat kidney stones thanks to an incredible donation from fundraisers.
The urology stone laser was bought by Friends of Raigmore after the group raised £40,000 over the course of 2014.
The new equipment means that patients who would have previously travelled to Edinburgh for treatment or faced invasive surgery can now be treated in Inverness.
About 90 people a year will now be able to return home sooner to recover rather than staying in hospital, and about 37 patients will no longer have to travel outwith the Highlands for treatment.
Christina Cameron, chairwoman of the Friends of Raigmore, and Jean Slater, secretary of the group, presented the machine to Dr Sara Ramsay, consultant urologist at the hospital.
Dr Ramsay said that the laser would be offer a “huge improvement” in treating patients.
She said: “Essentially the laser breaks down the kidney stones into sand and then that can be passed out normally.
“It’s on a cord so we can chase the stones and make sure everything is fully broke down.
“Older equipment used a small pneumatic drill and with the laser there’s less chance of playing snooker with the stones.”
She added: “It sounds like some kind of experimental system but I would assure patients that it’s not, this is routine and widely used and will make for a far more efficient process.”
Ms Cameron said: “The Friends of Raigmore fundraise for the benefit of both patients and staff and we are delighted that we have been able to donate this amount to the hospital, it has been the largest fundraising effort in our history.
“Our shop in the hospital has been opened for over two years now but it has been doing incredibly well, which has allowed us to buy the equipment.
“I’m incredibly happy that we have been able to do this for the urology team and that it will be of benefit to both patients and staff.”
The group had already started fundraising for next year’s donation.
Members are planning to buy a retinal scanner for use on diabetic patients.
Dr Ramsey said: “I am incredibly grateful for this very generous donation from the Friends.”