NEW technology brought a major advance in the diagnosis of  serious illness in 1992 - thanks to an appeal backed by the public and industry in South Cumbria.

On Friday, October 9, Lord Cavendish of Furness cut a tape to inaugurate a £1.5m body scanner and the new suite to hold it at Furness General Hospital.

The ceremony marked the culmination of fundraising which was begun in 1989 by South Cumbria Health Authority.

Many groups and businesses helped to generate the cash, with the appeal being rounded off by Glaxo at Ulverston.

Consultants needing the use of a scanner had previously sent patients to major centres such as Manchester.

The Mail, on Saturday, November 10, noted: "South Cumbria fundraisers gave themselves a well-deserved pat on the back yesterday when the Sir Leonard Redshaw Scanner Suite and the Glaxo Scanner were formally commissioned.

"Lord Cavendish of Furness, chairman of the appeal trustees, cut the ribbon which marked the handing over of the project."

He said: "It is the largest appeal ever attempted in the area and had been a community effort in the fullest sense."

Anne Graham, chairman of South Cumbria Health Authority, said: "We have all been overwhelmed by everyone's generosity."

More than 100 guests watched the opened ceremony and a further 200 had the opportunity to inspect the computerised tomography scanner.

Hospital general manager Brian Cosgrove said: "We would like to give tribute to the local population for their superb efforts in raising such a sum over such a short period of time."

Superintendent radiographer Barrie Pilkington said: "We can scan many areas of the body which are difficult to see using other techniques."

The Mail, on October 12, noted: "The scanner works by taking x-rays in fine sections through the body, rather like slicing bread.

"This machine can take pictures at different angles so that doctors can build up an accurate overall view."

Consultant radiologist Dr Peter Crawshaw said: "We can focus in on any tiny area of the body, such as an optic nerve, and work out exactly where abnormalities lie.

"If you can find the problem you are part way towards treatment."

Other equipment with the scanner allowed staff to transmit screen pictures direct to other hospitals to seek a diagnosis or advice.