The winning entry for last year’s Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence teamwork category was a collaboration between healthcare professionals in the radiology department at Noble’s Hospital and a local charity, the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group.

It had already transformed the experience for patients in the area of breast care, screening and breast cancer diagnosis and this year saw this continue with the arrival of two new CT scanners, which the charity has been raising the funds to buy.

The scanners are now in the 3D imaging suite at Noble’s Hospital and the teamwork has continued with the the Department of Health and Social Care funding the building works required to house the facility and the radiology department keeping everything running as near to normally as possible for the patients while all this was going on.

The DHSC and radiology team can advise the charity on exactly which pieces of equipment, or treatment path, will have the most impact on an improved diagnosis and patient experience.

The contribution of a group of fundraisers such as the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group has helped to stretch health service budgets to provide equipment that in many cases will mean a patient can be diagnosed on the island rather than having to go to a specialist centre in the UK.

Julie Stokes, chairman of the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group, said: ’I would like to pay tribute to the enthusiasm and commitment of the radiology team and to the DHSC for supporting us.

’And of course we also have to thank the other element that makes up our teamwork: the Manx public who have attended our events and given so generously. None of it would be possible without them.

’Entering the Awards for Excellence raised the charity’s profile which helped enormously with our fundraising. This has been really helpful with our massive £1.5m project to replace the island CT scanners.

’The trustees and our fabulous committee work very hard. It’s really lovely to win an award and have a great night out.’

For details of how to enter next year’s Awards for Excellence see page 8 of this week’s Isle of Man Examiner.