A NEW ultrasound service - set up to ease pressure on Musgrove Park Hospital - has been given a thumbs up from patients.

Wellington Hospital opened the service in the former medical records office in January 2021, after it was converted into a clinical space.

It provides an ultrasound for around 80 patients per week, and was set up to ease pressure on the diagnostic services at Musgrove in Taunton.

The service also means patients who live in or near to Wellington do not need to travel to Taunton for an ultrasound.

More than 120 patients who used the service took part in a survey between February 22 and March 8.

They were impressed with the professionalism, easy access, welcome, organisation and cleanliness at the hospital.

Sonographer Alice Bevan, who led the set-up of the new ultrasound service, said she was 'delighted' to hear such positive feedback.

"It is a real testament to the hard work and organisation of everyone in our service," she said.

"I also want to thank the team at Wellington Hospital who could not have been more accommodating to us, and we very much look forward to continuing to work with them to develop the service in the future.”

Hospitals in Bridgwater, Chard, Minehead and West Mendip are also offering an ultrasound service.