The Friends of Noble’s Hospital have donated two pieces of equipment worth a total of almost £80,000.

The charity, which aims to improve patient comfort, has donated an eye laser to treat eye deterioration caused by diabetes to replace a laser which is 15 years old.

And it has presented an ultrasound scanner to the acute medical unit which is being used for the early diagnosis of life threatening illnesses.

The Friends are now gearing up for Christmas, decorating the hospital and set to provide gifts to inpatients.

A charity spokesman said: ’The Friends of Noble’s Hospital have provided two key pieces of equipment that are making a real difference to patient experiences and outcomes.’

He added: ’These pieces of equipment together cost the charity almost £80,000 and the Friends of Noble’s Hospital are very grateful to the Scheinberg Family who have supported the charity with matched funding to make these purchases.’

The eye laser is used for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, a deterioration of the light sensitive part of the eye caused by diabetes.

The condition can cause blindness.

The spokesman said: ’The old laser at Noble’s was over 15 years old and as it is difficult to anaesthetise the very back of the eye the procedure, which has to be repeated, can be painful.

’Laser technology has improved massively and the newer lasers are significantly less painful and allow rapid firing of the laser beam reducing the duration of each procedure.

’The benefits to the patient are less pain and reduced duration of each course of treatment. Indeed as each treatment is quicker due to the rapid fire functionality, the hospital has been able to increase the number of patients to be treated by 25% with the new laser and reduce the waiting list.’

The ultrasound scanner is used for the early diagnosis of life threatening illness. It provides high quality pictures of the heart, lungs, abdomen and blood vessels for review by the doctor and transmission to the radiologist.’

It will also be used on the ward when inserting cannulas in the arm veins and drainage of fluid around the liver or abdomen.

And it has presented an ultrasound scanner to the acute medical unit which is being used for the early diagnosis of life threatening illnesses.