Patients benefit as mystery donor leaves cash to hospital

The cash was given anonymously to Goole and District Hospital in a will, and health chiefs have already begun spending it.

The hospital has opened a new endoscopy service after buying 200,000 of equipment in the biggest single purchase.

Managers have also spent 50,000 on special chairs, beds, bedside tables, lockers and nurse call handsets; 44,800 on laser equipment, 21,700 on an orthopaedic drill used for specialist foot surgery; 19,975 on an ultrasound machine, and nearly 16,000 on other purchases including blood testing equipment.

The laser equipment has proved a boost for eye patients, as those who have been treated for cataracts can now have follow-up treatment in Goole instead of going to Scunthorpe Hospital.

The laser can improve sight after cataract surgery.

The donor had asked that the money was used to buy equipment and improve the patient environment and amenities.

Gaby Sadowyj, service and development manager at the hospital, who has been co-ordinating the legacy and purchases, said staff were surprised but delighted by the gift.

"We were all absolutely stunned with the very generous donation that was made to the hospital as part of a legacy," she said.

"We do not want to give too much away as to when it was donated as the legacy states quite clearly that the person wanted to remain anonymous.

"The money has enabled us to fund new equipment for the provision of new and existing services at the hospital, as well as purchasing new furniture."

She added: "This very generous legacy has enabled us to make a real difference to our patients' lives through improving the environment they are cared for with the new furniture and by being able to provide new and enhanced services."

Angie Smithson, the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's director of service and business development, said it was "extremely grateful for the donation which has supported us in setting up the endoscopy service and YAG capsulotomy (laser) service for Goole patients right on their doorstep."