NNUH Patients Benefit from Generous Legacy

Gastroenterology patients at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital are benefitting from a generous £54,000 bequest to the hospital charity from a Norfolk woman.

The money left by Delphine Fulcher from Mundesley has been used to buy two machines that will help doctors investigating disorders of the gullet and to see the inside of bile ducts at the busiest endoscopy unit in the country.

Delphine’s partner Michael Webb said “Delphine was passionate about helping others and wanted the money to go to local services.”

Consultant Hepatologist Simon Rushbrook explained that more than £33,000 was spent on an oesophageal mamoneter “This will allow us to understand and diagnose disorders of the gut as well as diagnosing the nature of oesophageal reflux.”

Nearly £22,000 has been used to purchase a digital spyglass scope. “The new spyglass system will allow us to directly visualise the inside of bile ducts and to take biopsies from cancers in that area. It will also allow us to provide treatments inside the bile ducts, one example is the ability to break up large stones that we couldn’t get to any other way.”
The spyglass system is the only one in the eastern region and one of only a handful in the country.

Dr Rushbrook said “Delphine’s legacy is a really generous gift that will bring real benefit to NNUH patients and we are very grateful.”

Mr Webb along with family and friends of Ms Fulcher visited NNUH to see the new pieces of equipment and to be thanked for the legacy.